transportmodusmix

Transportmodusmix is a term encountered in German-language transport planning that denotes the distribution of traffic demand across transport modes within a defined context. It describes how trips and goods are moved using different modes—car, bus, tram, rail, cycling, walking, freight by truck, rail, or shipping—and how these modes interact within a multimodal system. The term is not uniformly defined across sources, and it is often used interchangeably with modal split or modal mix, though some authors prefer it to emphasize intermodal connectivity and integration rather than a simple percentage split.

Measuring the transportmodusmix typically relies on travel surveys, automated counts, ticketing data, and freight records to estimate mode shares by trips or by distance and by tonne-kilometers. Analysts may examine static snapshots or dynamic changes over time, and may consider trip chains, where the end-to-end journey uses multiple modes. The concept is applicable to cities, regions, or corridors and can cover both passenger and freight transport.

Applications include informing mobility planning, identifying overreliance on a single mode, and highlighting opportunities for multimodal corridors, improved feeder services, and integrated ticketing. Policy options associated with shaping the transportmodusmix include expanding rail and public transit, developing cycling and walking infrastructure, and implementing pricing or incentives to shift use toward more sustainable modes while maintaining accessibility.

Relation to other concepts and limitations: the term is closely related to modal split but emphasizes the composite nature of travel and mode interconnections. Limitations arise from data availability, inconsistent definitions, and the need to account for service quality, reliability, and total costs alongside mode shares.