Exploring the impact of street closures and shared mobility on urban travel behaviour: an agent-based simulation in Ghent

This study investigates how street closures and shared mobility options impact travel behaviour and urban transport dynamics in Ghent, Belgium, focusing on car traffic redistribution, modal shifts, and neighbourhood disparities. Using an agent-based modelling approach, we explore how changes to the transport network influence daily travel patterns, aiming to shed light on the complex relationship between street closures, shared transport modes, and urban mobility. For this purpose, we used travel diaries from a sample of the population to feed the agent-based model to simulate multiple hypothetical scenarios. Our findings reveal a modest reduction in car traffic across most neighbourhoods after street closures. While bikesharing options promotes cycling and helps to ease car traffic, carsharing contributes to greater reliance on cars. These results require nuanced policy responses. Furthermore, street closures prompt changes in traffic routes, directing cars towards specific thoroughfares within the city. Despite these trends, the precise effects on walking and public transport usage remain unclear, underscoring the complexity of urban transport dynamics. This study advocates for systematic planning and interdisciplinary approaches to address the challenges posed by street closures, advocating for the integration of qualitative analysis to deepen our understanding of travel behaviour nuances.