Utility-Driven Demand Estimation Framework for Regional Transport Systems

Regional transport systems face unique challenges, such as low population density and limited infrastructure, complicating accurate demand estimation, yet essential to any approach to designing or managing transport activities. This paper introduces a demand estimation framework tailored to regional contexts, integrating both passenger and freight needs into a unified, utility-based model that dynamically adjusts to user expectations and transport mode characteristics over time. The model incorporates an original utility function that weights key transport features based on specific user profiles. An illustrative case allows validating the framework’s applicability, illustrating its ability to map demand flows, supporting it as an effective decision-support tool for regional transport operators.