Abstract:
In the quest for sustainable urban transport solutions, the emphasis is on congestion
reduction, and efficient travel times. A better understanding of the two can be achieved via
comprehensive traffic modelling. Using the PTV Vissim microsimulation modelling, this
research investigates changing traffic patterns occurring on the N2 highway in Cape Town
since 2005.
The preliminary research indicates that there has been a significant change in actual traffic
patterns, which may be attributable to several causes, such as changes in population,
economy, transportation alternatives, cost of travel, quality or formal public transport
services, and land development, over the years. Primary data from 2005 and 2023 served
as a baseline and was used to validate and calibrate the PTV Vissim model.
The travel times which serve as the performance metric, display substantial increases,
highlighting the necessity of investing in a reformed transport system. It is intended that
the findings of this study provide policy directives to city officials in Cape Town, thereby
contributing to the development of a transport ecosystem that is more integrated, efficient
and user friendly.
