Agent-based modelling Best used when there are Able to simulate complex, Relatively few experts of this Same as for simulation Same as for simulation simulates the behaviour of lots of agents (ie, modelling non-linear, non-equilibrium technique. models. models. multiple agents acting together the behaviour of all behaviour of real world Can show quite erratic results, ie, May be difficult to Requires specialist software within a system. It is concerned individuals). systems. sensitive to initial conditions. understand underlying packages. with identifying patterns and Useful if there are a large Ability to study emergence of causes of behaviour due to trends that emerge as a result of Difficult to validate. number of stakeholders. behaviour patterns. complexity. the complex interactions of the agents as a whole. Examples of Not suitable for small when agent-based modelling is budget evaluations. well suited includes (micro simulation) traffic modelling or modelling of shopping behaviour, modelling of facility/resource use behaviour. Integrated assessment models Suitable for complex/big Broadens the boundary of Subject to limitations of the Same as for simulation Same as for simulation take models from a variety of issues. Often applied in investigation. underlying models. models. models. disciplines (eg, scientific, regional or large city Collaborative approach. Huge overheads to set up. Requires specialist software engineering and economic) and contexts. packages. combine these into a coherent Allows understanding of Difficult to validate. Ideal for strategic policy whole by creating feedback multiple effects of proposed Requires a range of people evaluation, particularly structures between the models. policy provisions with different knowledge/ considering transport, These models tend to be spatial simultaneously. backgrounds to come/work economic and land-use in nature, applying GIS to together (ie, a steering issues together. facilitate data entry and Once set up, speeds up group). recording. strategic policy development. Not suitable for small budget evaluations. Economic impact assessment Economic impact assessment (EIA) is an approach used to understand (or often justify) the economic impact that projects, programmes or policies have on an economy. There are two core methods, described below.
Agent-based modelling simulates the behaviour of multiple agents acting together within a system. It is concerned with identifying patterns and trends that emerge as a result of the complex interactions of the agents as a whole. Examples of when agent-based modelling is well suited includes (micro simulation) traffic modelling or modelling of shopping behaviour, modelling of facility/resource use behaviour. Best used when there are lots of agents (ie, modelling the behaviour of all individuals). Useful if there are a large number of stakeholders. Not suitable for small budget evaluations. Able to simulate complex, non-linear, non-equilibrium behaviour of real world systems. Ability to study emergence of behaviour patterns. Relatively few experts of this technique. Can show quite erratic results, ie, sensitive to initial conditions. Difficult to validate. Same as for simulation models. May be difficult to understand underlying causes of behaviour due to complexity. Same as for simulation models. Requires specialist software packages. Integrated assessment models take models from a variety of disciplines (eg, scientific, engineering and economic) and combine these into a coherent whole by creating feedback structures between the models. These models tend to be spatial in nature, applying GIS to facilitate data entry and recording. Suitable for complex/big issues. Often applied in regional or large city contexts. Ideal for strategic policy evaluation, particularly considering transport, economic and land-use issues together. Not suitable for small budget evaluations. Broadens the boundary of investigation. Collaborative approach. Allows understanding of multiple effects of proposed policy provisions simultaneously. Once set up, speeds up strategic policy development. Subject to limitations of the underlying models. Huge overheads to set up. Difficult to validate. Same as for simulation models. Same as for simulation models. Requires specialist software packages. Requires a range of people with different knowledge/ backgrounds to come/work together (ie, a steering group). Economic impact assessment Economic impact assessment (EIA) is an approach used to understand (or often justify) the economic impact that projects, programmes or policies have on an economy. There are two core methods, described below.
guide-to-section-32-of-resource-manangemnt-amendment-act-1991.docx