CitiME and Bentley: Transforming transport modelling in the Middle East with sustainable mobility
CitiME, 2024 Business Transformation Winner
CitiME, Middle East
CitiME is revolutionizing transport modeling in the Middle East by integrating micromobility solutions like bikes and scooters into city planning. Collaborating with Bentley, CitiME enhanced Abu Dhabi’s transport model, adapting it to reflect the growing use of alternative transport modes. This innovative approach helps cities test infrastructure changes, like bike lanes, before real-world implementation, promoting sustainable and efficient urban mobility. Read the full article to learn more!
Bentley Solutions: Bentley OpenPaths CUBE
Click on the image above to watch the video interview.
In the dynamic transport sector of the Middle East, CitiME stands out as a leading force in transport modeling, with a special focus on the growing phenomenon of micromobility. Through innovative solutions, the company has helped transform the way cities, such as Abu Dhabi, design and implement their transport infrastructures, preparing them for future challenges. CitiME, one of the companies in the CitiEU and CitiME group, has become a reference in transport modeling, offering solutions for transport operators, local authorities, and engineering companies. Operating in both Europe and the Middle East, the company develops transport modeling projects and provides specialized training in tools that include Bentley OpenPaths CUBE.
Laura Marshall, Senior Consultant at CitiEU and CitiME, explains that the company’s goal is not only to model conventional transport, but also to incorporate innovative micromobility solutions. “Our work goes beyond traditional transport scenarios. We seek to integrate new forms of urban mobility, like bicycles and electric scooters, which are essential for the future of cities,” she says.
Genesis of Project
- New forms of personal mobility have impacted the level and pattern of local area travel.
- This has necessitated the provision of appropriate infrastructure to cater for the current and future travel demand.
- Abu Dhabi is therefore investing heavily in infrastructure to support micromobility in local areas, over the next few years.
- Abu Dhabi Mobility has enhanced existing, and developed new, modelling tools with a view of producing a more accurate representation of micromobility for supporting its planning.
In recent years, the use of micromobility—such as bike-sharing and electric scooters—has grown exponentially in major cities around the world. Abu Dhabi recognized this trend and decided to include these new modes of transport in its strategic transport model. The city had already made significant investments in micromobility solutions, but the challenge was integrating these options into the existing transport model, which was predominantly focused on traditional vehicles. The solution proposed by CitiME was to create a more detailed and accurate model that could reflect the reality of shorter trips made on foot, by bike, or by scooter.
To achieve this goal, CitiME worked with Abu Dhabi Mobility and their modeling team to deliver this project, using the Strategic Transportation Evaluation and Assessment (STEAM) model, based on Bentley OpenPaths CUBE. “STEAM was already a widely used strategic transport model in Abu Dhabi, but we needed to adapt it to accurately capture trips made by more agile and localized modes of transport,” explains Laura.
Abu Dhabi Mobility, formerly known as the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), has undergone a significant strategic transformation, adopting a new brand identity that signals a new era in mobility. The mission of the centre is to create a smart, sustainable, and safe mobility ecosystem, encompassing land, air, and maritime transport activities, as well as driver and vehicle licensing services. This transformation aims to increase road capacity, reduce commute times, expand the bus fleet, and introduce an extensive cycling lane network, among other initiatives. The creation of the Intelligent Transport Management Centre (iTMC), which uses artificial intelligence and existing technologies to improve operational efficiency and reduce congestion, is a clear example of Abu Dhabi’s commitment to innovation in transport.
STEAM – Strategic Transportation Evaluation and Assessment Model
Using Bentley OpenPaths CUBE for multi-modal travel demand modelling
The project followed a structured approach, involving several complex technical phases. Initially, CitiME had to divide the large zones in the original model—approximately 500 meters by 500 meters—into smaller zones to accurately represent micromobility trips. “It’s important to understand that people using bikes or scooters don’t stay confined to large 500-meter zones. They move over much shorter distances, so we had to adjust the model to reflect that,” says Laura.
From there, several changes and improvements were made to the original model. A new network model was created, including specific routes for transport modes like bikes and scooters. A new route choice model was incorporated, allowing the model to reflect the preferred routes of these new modes of transport, without assuming that cyclists or scooter users would take fast highways or roads. The inclusion of a mode choice model also allowed for a better analysis of how different types of users choose their modes of transport, considering factors that include income, age, and trip purpose (work, leisure, etc.).
The most significant change in the project was the implementation of new infrastructure, such as bike lanes and spaces dedicated to electric scooters. These elements were modeled to test different scenarios and understand how the introduction of new micromobility infrastructures could affect commuting behavior.
Luigi Sanfilippo, a senior consultant at CitiEU and CitiME, details the changes made to the model: “The first action was to increase the number of links in the model, from 100,000 to over a million, including walking paths, bike lanes, and other specific micromobility infrastructure. We also created new transport modes, like the ‘bike sharing’ and ‘micromobility’ categories, to represent these options more accurately.”
The impact of these new projects was significant. With the inclusion of bike lanes, for example, it was possible to observe a reduction in car trips and a considerable increase in bike and scooter trips. “We analyzed scenarios before and after the implementation of these infrastructures and found a major shift in user behavior,” says Luigi.
The updated transport model for Abu Dhabi now offers a much more accurate representation of actual transport use. With the ability to simulate the introduction of new infrastructures, the city can test different scenarios—from adding a new bike lane to changes in public transport systems—and assess their impact before implementing them in the real world.
“One of the biggest benefits of using this model is the cost-benefit analysis,” explains Laura. “We can test how different mobility projects will affect the city in terms of travel time, congestion reduction, and carbon emissions, all before any real investment is made.”
The partnership between CitiME and Bentley is a shining example of how innovation in transport planning can transform cities and promote a more sustainable and efficient future. As micromobility solutions continue to be adopted in Abu Dhabi and other Middle Eastern cities, CitiME’s work will remain crucial in ensuring that these solutions are integrated intelligently and effectively.
“This award is a huge honor for us. It validates all the effort we’ve dedicated to understanding our clients’ needs and applying advanced technological solutions to meet them,” says Laura.
