PRISM 5 Continuation Services Framework

In the West Midlands metropolitan area there are two variable-demand strategic transport models: PRISM (Policy Responsive Integrated Strategic Model) and CASM (Coventry Area Strategic Model). Highways England has a Midlands Regional Traffic Model [MRTM] that covers the whole West Midlands Conurbation and a wider area: this is not a model to which WMCA has presumed access rights but MRTM data was used in the building of PRISM 5. There are a small number of sub-conurbation highway network models in Saturn and numerous micro-simulation tools covering local areas; these models being owned by WMCA and the Constituent Authorities and operated by them or their modelling services suppliers.

Our most substantial and only conurbation-wide model is PRISM. This was built as a large strategic model intended to gain insight into strategic issues to inform policy and planning, but which has primarily been used to support business case development for large public transport schemes and the less frequent refreshes of local planning policy. It has evolved to do this well in the sense that business cases have been successfully produced and defended and local plans evidenced using the model have withstood planning inquiry examination and challenge.

The client group, comprising TfWM and the 7 Local Authorities, are seeking to appoint consultants for transport modelling services in the West Midlands. The appointed suppliers will apply, maintain and enhance PRISM 5 on behalf of the client group. A separate procurement activity is taking place in parallel to this tender to seek suppliers to support TfWM in the creation of our future modelling capability that will offer complementary modelling capabilities, some of which could supersede parts of the modelling functions offered by PRISM. However, we expect to continue using PRISM for the whole of this services framework period.