Brussels Airport Road Rush Barometer

Brussels Airport faces major mobility challenges due to long-term works around SPI.RO and the Vilvoorde viaduct. TML is developing an analysis method and predictive traffic model that calculates the additional travel times and converts them into usable output for planners, apps and communication.

Brussels Airport faces a significant mobility challenge in the coming years, with major works planned at SPI.RO and on the Vilvoorde viaduct. As 74% of all airport-related journeys take place by road, every additional minute of congestion can have an immediate impact on passengers, staff, and day-to-day operations.

With the Road Rush Barometer, Brussels Airport aims not only to understand that impact but also to anticipate it: how much extra travel time will each construction phase create? When will the disruption be greatest? And how can travellers be informed clearly and in good time? The study brings together a thorough analysis of all work phases with a predictive model that calculates additional travel times by time slot, day type, and place of origin.

TML is developing the full analytical method for this project. Using the macrodynamic traffic model (MDVM), we simulate how lane closures, reduced speed limits, and bottlenecks lead to congestion and travel-time losses. Where needed, we refine the results using floating-car data. Finally, we translate all predicted travel times into clear, practical outputs that can be integrated into route planners, apps, and airport communication systems.