Ferry services, service frequency and waiting time. Implications for transport analysis and benefit calculations

In this report, we look at how ferry services are treated in transport modeling and cost-benefit analysis, especially the importance of service frequency. A survey of current practice shows that the assumptions made about the inconvenience associated with waiting time on ferries vary bet¬ween different models and tools. Results from the valuation study in 2018 show that travelers have a valuation of shorter headway that corresponds fairly well with existing literature on the disadvantage of waiting time. In a calculation example, we show that taking this into account in the benefit calculations could result in higher estimated road user benefits from an investment that replaces a ferry with a fixed connection. The same will apply to policies that increase service frequency.