Supporting better decision-making through collaborative simulation: the ELABORATOR Community of Practice in action

How can simulation truly support better decision-making in complex urban mobility challenges? Within the ELABORATOR project, this question is being explored through a structured Community of Practice that brings together technical expertise and stakeholder insight.

A recent workshop on hypothesis-based simulation and validation, organised by ELABORATOR partner

EIRA-European Institute of Road Assessment-EuroRAP demonstrated how a collaborative and methodical approach can lead to more meaningful, evidence-driven analysis.

The workshop provided a space for stakeholders to engage directly with the simulation process. Participants were introduced to the model’s scope, assumptions, and methodological foundations, drawing on the latest research and best practices. Building on this shared understanding, they worked together to define and refine hypotheses that reflect real-world questions and uncertainties.

These hypotheses were translated into scenarios aligned with the model’s capabilities. A structured and transparent scoring process was then applied, enabling participants to prioritise scenarios based on their relevance, potential impact, feasibility, and level of uncertainty. This ensured that the most important and actionable questions are taken forward for further analysis.

Beyond the workshop itself, this approach contributes to the development of a lasting Community of Practice. It supports continued collaboration, strengthens validation processes, and enhances the robustness of simulation models over time.

By combining technical modelling with stakeholder perspectives, the ELABORATOR project is helping to ensure that simulation is not only methodologically sound, but also practical and relevant for real-world decision-making in urban mobility.