Computer based ex-ante evaluation of the planned railway line between Copenhagen and Ringsted by use of a Decision Support System named COSIMA-DSS

Abstract

This paper presents an appraisal study concerning the extension of the main railway line between Copenhagen and Ringsted by use of a software system named COSIMA-DSS. The modelling system is based upon a multi-methodological approach combining a cost-benefit analysis together with a multi-criteria analysis. One of the key impacts in cost-benefit analyses is the time benefit which depends on the timetabling. The paper describes some of the challenges related to the calculation of the time benefits and how the time benefits can be implemented in the decision support system. At the end of the paper, results from the calculations using COSIMA-DSS are presented and discussed on the basis of a newly developed Danish manual on transport appraisal.