WCC - Traffic/Transport Modelling Framework

Tender description

The Authority (WCC) has been using Paramics modelling software (both S-Paramics and Paramics Discovery - hereinafter collectively referred to as 'Paramics') since 2001 to assess highway schemes, identify the likely impacts of development and to inform strategic transport assessments of Local Plan proposals for each of Warwickshire's five Districts and Boroughs: • Warwick District; • Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough; • Rugby Borough; • North Warwickshire Borough; and • Stratford District. WCC has a diverse suite of models covering each District and Borough in the County, ranging from simple corridor models to more complex wide-area models which are used to test the impacts of Local Plan allocations proposed by the District and Borough Councils. Increasing demands on the Authority's modelling team, due to the pressures of maximising the potential of all funding opportunities through business case development for the Strategic Economic Plan/Local Growth Deal and other funding sources and the demands for support through the Local Plan process means less officer time can be spent on this task, a task which is essential to ensure the viability of the Model Revenue Fund (MRF) business model. Specialist external modelling support is therefore required to continue the development and maintenance of WCC models and to provide robust scheme and development assessments over the next 1-4 year period. Lot 1: The Transport Modelling Support Contract will cover, but may not be limited to, three key areas of work: 1: Paramics Micro-simulation model development, maintenance, and support to ensure the Authority has the necessary tools to undertake assessments and maintain the Model Revenue Fund business model; 2: Paramics Micro-simulation modelling to support transport scheme appraisal, testing and analysis to support Major Scheme Business Case development; and 3: Local Plan and other Development Planning Paramics micro-simulation modelling and evidence support. Whilst the value is stated at £3,000,000, this includes an inflationary value to cover any unforeseen additional requirements over the duration of the contract. The current estimated value (excluding VAT) of this Framework over the 4- year period without this is expected to be in the region of £2,000,000.