A CARBON IMPACT SIMULATION-BASED FRAMEWORK FOR LAND USE PLANNING AND NON-MOTORIZED TRAVEL BEHAVIOUR INTERACTIONS

This paper presents a sustainable mobility module for a new urban design simulation tool called umi. The module estimates transportation related carbon emissions for urban dwellers according to the proximity of their home to amenities such as schools, grocery stores, restaurants and the like. The traditional 4-step transportation model of trip estimations is utilized, but the underlying model assumes that residents of more walkable neighbourhoods will choose walking over driving if destination points are within walking range and outdoor environmental conditions are acceptable at the time of the trip. Transportation mode choices for each trip are determined based on a two-step stochastic process: Shortest distance paths are used to evaluate how 'walkable' the trip is. Ambient temperature and rainfall are then used as placeholders for outdoor comfort conditions to determine the likelihood that a resident will walk at a particular time. Carbon emissions are associated to each trip based on the trip's mode choice. Overall neighbourhood evaluations are conducted by summing up all trip-related carbon emissions throughout a year. A case study of a fictional mixed use neighbourhood in Boston, built according to Passivhaus standard, is simulated in Energy Plus to compare the carbon impact of operational energy use versus transportation.