From measures to scenarios
The developing of scenarios is included in most traffic projects and should definitely be part of the policy formulation process. The goals included in a scenario are normally represented by a bundle of measures. Accordingly the latter have to be set up before the scenarios can be chosen (figure 10).
Figure 10: Development of scenarios and alternatives (general structure) (BOKU-ITS)
Scenarios are a helpful tool to show and predict (future) results of alternative developments in
traffic. Usually the comparison is made at present time, depending on data availability, and in
the future, which includes also prognostic tools. The trend scenario (BAU) and the future
developments of this scenario must be included to allow serious comparisons. Out of numerous
possibilities, some extreme scenarios are chosen so that the characteristics of possible future
developments evolve and can be seen clearly by all parties involved in the policy formulation
process. Instead of scenarios also “alternatives” or (bundles of) “measures” can be addressed.
Comparisons between different scenarios help to fix goals for the future (figure 11).