PRISM

PRISM (Policy Responsive Integrated Strategy Model) has been developed by Mott MacDonald and RAND Europe as a new strategic model for the West Midlands, supported by the seven district authorities, the Highways Agency and CENTRO. The model is a state-of-the-art disaggregate demand model, with significant detail in zoning and networks.

It covers the West Midlands metropolitan area in about 900 zones, with a detailed network description of the highway and public transport networks. The model operates in the VISUM software, and represents in a detailed manner the following travel responses to congestion, investment and policy:

• change in trip making
• change of destination
• change in mode
• change in time of travel
• change in route

The model has been used to support, amongst others, the following applications:

• 2005/06 LTP submission and targets
• Coventry-Solihull-Warwickshire sub-regional study
• A45 Toll Bar End study
• Burnt Tree Island major scheme submission
• Black Country study