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TRANSPORT-Transport 2025

Capacity after lockdown. A transport system for the future

Alternative title: Kapasitet, COVID-19 og reisevaner

Awarded: NOK 12.0 mill.

Expanding the capacity in the transportation systems for both private cars and public of transport is costly and increases emissions from greenhouse gases. In the aftermath of the covid-19 pandemic, there is a window of opportunity as well as a need for rethinking transport capacity, utilizing the experiences made during the pandemic with respect to changes in travel demand and supply. In order to move forward, we need knowledge about how travel choices and capacity utilization has changed during the pandemic, and how policy instruments can be used to promote efficient capacity utilization and a sustainable transport system in the years to come. The CAPSLOCK project will observe the ongoing development in travel behavior and capacity utilization before, during and after the covid-19 pandemic. In particular, we will study how preferences for crowding have changed. We will combine different traditional and novel sources of data on travel behavior, econometric methods, transport models and optimization methods. The research and development activities will be carried out in close co-operation with the Norwegian Railway Directorate and other key players within national and regional transport governance, and with guidance from international experts in the field.

In the aftermath of the covid-19 pandemic, there is a window of opportunity as well as a need for rethinking transport capacity, utilizing the experiences made during the pandemic with respect to changes in travel demand and supply. In order to move forward, we need knowledge about how travel choices and capacity utilization has changed during the pandemic, and how policy instruments can be used to promote efficient capacity utilization and a sustainable transport system in the years to come. In CAPSLOCK, we will (1) observe the ongoing development in travel behavior and capacity utilization, (2) investigate changes in preferences against crowding in public transport and implications for passenger demand, (3) study habit formation and potential permanent changes in travel behavior due to learning effects and (4) develop models and tools for evaluating optimal capacity utilization and (5) recommend solutions and policies for a more efficient and sustainable transport system, taking into account congestion, crowding and environmental externalities. We will combine different traditional and novel sources of data on travel behavior, econometric methods, transport models and optimization methods. The research and development activities will be carried out in close co-operation with the Norwegian Railway Directorate and other key players within national and regional transport governance, and with guidance from international experts in the field. We expect the project to deliver (I) novel scientific results on the relationship between transport capacity and travel choices as well as (II) impact on policies and solutions in the transport sector and (III) knowledge-building in the organizations involved in the project, including a PhD.

Publications from Cristin

Funding scheme:

TRANSPORT-Transport 2025