One of the master’s students working on our project, Mats ter Horst presented his work at the International System Dynamics Conference 2024, Bergen. Titled: Unfolding the Loops: Enhancing Implementability of Sustainable Train Transition through Integration of GMB and Process Mapping
Transport systems are vital to modern society but are major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. To address this, local governments, like Gelderland, are working to transition their rail systems from diesel to more sustainable alternatives. This shift is complex and involves multiple stakeholders and uncertainties.
Mats’ project explores how integrating Process Mapping (PM) with Group Model Building (GMB) can improve the effectiveness of managing such transitions. GMB, a system dynamics approach, helps stakeholders collaboratively develop models to address strategic issues but often lacks actionable outcomes. By incorporating PM, which visually represents work processes through flowcharts, we aim to enhance commitment, behavioral changes, and actionable solutions.
His research applied this integrated approach to Gelderland’s rail system transition. We conducted two workshops (April/May 2024) to create a causal loop diagram (CLD) and flowcharts from key leverage points, providing Gelderland with actionable insights for their sustainability efforts. The impact of PM on commitment and actionability was measured using questionnaires throughout the process.
This study aims to offer Gelderland practical tools and insights to support their transition towards a climate-neutral rail system by 2050, in line with European climate goals. We thank Bas Kippers and Carolien Danckaerts who supported this research collaboration!