Their purpose is to determine the number and characteristics of current or future users who make use of a transport system.

The characteristics referred to include the spatial and temporal distribution of trips as well as those relating to representative user segments in terms of mobility or socioeconomic data.

To determine the number of future users, the starting point is a transport system, a set of services offered and a current market of users.

Subsequently, the characteristics of said system in terms of supply, demand and performance are replicated through simulation tools that are adjusted in their internal and external parameters.

Next, the project, measures or interventions are incorporated into said model and proceeds to determine the amount of users of the proposed project as well as the performance characteristics of the modified transportation system.

The results obtained are evaluated in terms of their robustness to possible changes in the values of the parameters used through a sensitivity analysis or probability of compliance.

These analyzes can also be complemented with those related to fee structures that optimize some particular criteria.

The objectives of a demand study are diverse.  Together with the Contracting Party, these objectives are established in order to determine the scope of the demand study.