The NZ Modelling User Group (NZMUGS) is a sub-group of the Transportation Group, dedicated to promote the interests of transport modelling within NZ. It is the intention that NZMUGS will represent all aspects of modelling including static/ deterministic, micro-simulation, wide-area/ strategic modelling, passenger transport modelling, as well as emerging areas as pedestrian and accessibility modelling.

The NZMUGS Conference provides a significant opportunity for researchers, engineers, modellers and other practitioners in the transportation modelling fraternity to discuss current developments with macroscopic, static/ deterministic, micro-simulation, wide-area/ strategic modelling, passenger transport modelling as well as emerging areas such as pedestrian and accessibility modelling.

Keep an eye on the News section for information on the conference or other events.

NZMUGS Conference 2025 | 15-16 September 2025, Rydges Latimer, Christchurch

The 18th annual NZMUGS Conference will be held on the 15th and 16th September 2025 at Rydges Latimer in Christchurch. The NZMUGS Conference provides a great opportunity for customers, researchers, engineers, modellers and other practitioners in the transport planning and modelling fraternity to discuss current developments across a wide range of projects and interests.

To cover what NZMUGS perceives as a growing area of transport planning and modelling interest in New Zealand and Australia, we invite presentations in the following area:

Topic

Should we model what decision makers/people think they want, or what we think they need?

  • Should modellers respond to decision makers desires to ensure engagement and solutions that conform with political realities?
  • Or should we stick with our expertise and aim for what we can demonstrate is appropriate, though maybe unpopular?
  • Productivity is high on the agenda, is it our role to ensure that factors other than travel times (safety, environment, connectivity etc) are assessed? And how do we account for them?
  • How much room is there for innovative/bolder solutions that decision makers and the public may not have envisaged? And how do we create and promote these opportunities.

Presentation Categories 

  • A standard slot of 15 minutes with 5 minutes to field questions from the audience (20mins total);
  • Shorter “quick fire” presentations of 10 minutes with no questions from the audience (10mins total);
  • Longer 25 minutes presentation with 5 minutes to field questions from the audience (30mins total).

 Note

  • Submitted presentations will be selected by the NZMUGS Committee based on their relevance to the conference theme, clarity, and value to attendees.
  • “Quick fire” sessions are intended for young professionals and students.
  • There is an opportunity to do a slightly longer 30 minute slot. Detailed abstract outlining the relevance of your presentation topic needs to be provided.
  • There will be prizes for best presenter and best young presenter.

 

If interested please submit your conference presentation title and abstract (<300 words) summarising the content of the presentation and how it relates to the conference theme by 13 June 2025. Please email all enquiries to nzmugs@gmail.com with the subject line: ‘2025 NZMUGS Conference’.

The NZMUGS Committee: Who are we? 

  • Bevan Wilmshurst, Chair
  • Kerstin Rupp, Treasurer
  • Michael Hall, Secretary
  • Zoe Chen, Conference Coordinator
  • Jen Wen Gan, Social Media Coordinator
  • Mariya Maslova, AITPM Representative
  • Andrew Murray
  • Graeme Belliss
  • Geoffrey Cornelis
  • Ian Clark (Past Chair)
  • Jade Mackay
  • John Pell
  • Jojo Valero
  • Mark Gregory
  • Nathan Harper (Past Chair)
  • Phillip Brown
  • Subha Nair
  • Tony Brennand
  • Yanfei Hong

The position of vice chair is currently vacant

NZMUGS Past Conference Presentations

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/18w6Salbfvpyb5Nuzxn51BWgFGzL6ewkU?usp=drive_link

NZMUGS Research Papers

  1. 2013 Peer Review Guidelines https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IhI3pWpfLm6hH5SPPVKrg4GbOFPw2KGP/view?usp=sharing
  2. NZTA Research Report 659 Urban transport modelling in New Zealand – data, practice and resourcing – Grant Smith https://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/research/reports/659
  3. Sensitivity testing: causal variables research paper- Ian Clark https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UvChmMT0FozTpyDc907lSMjqGI4ILjk8/view?usp=sharing
  4. Travel Forecasting Discussion Paper- Ian Clark https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kcX8-LpC3bpH9YGIOJ4Tucm2RCtPRrWE/view?usp=drive_open
  5. Draft Peer review Guidelines https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ayXERQNgoQ-MsW-qQgxIoBnqROUQDH1Q/view?usp=sharing
  6. Transport Model Development Guidelines (NZTA) https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kolS_P4TyaAJLBF_vqcanTnLwZy4gh4R/view?usp=drive_open
  7. Micro Time-of-day Choice Research https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TmxQ_mb9gHdhBGo3ZV1D_kNy0M5ZfU0-/view?usp=share_link
  8. Predicted vs Actual Stage 1 (2023)- Sam Rudge https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-ZGqHm4KBsSnaGx6EVtjesHqPR0OGa_T/view?usp=sharing
  9. Predicted vs Actual Stage 2 (2024)- Sam Rudge https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Uf6unioaogTZ9H3xaOR_W9Vk5PUERP8B/view?usp=drive_link
  10. How Have Trip Rates for the Office Activity Changed in a Post-Covid Environment- Michael Hall https://1drv.ms/b/c/c224ae8c7df5e03f/EbaXetCjWYlFikaSz9HdeAMB_Xn3u8Db09fW3t_K9c5hJw?e=IZ0XN5