The SUMO Model

Description of the the SUMO Evaluation Methodology to plan, monitor and evaluate mobility projects.

Sumo is a method for systematic planning, follow-up, and evaluation of mobility projects. If evaluations are carried out in the same way, it is easier to transfer experiences and compare similar projects. In the long term, this also offers opportunities to describe the correlation between communicative efforts and their effects on the overall societal goals. The method can also contribute to better project planning and setting relevant and realistic goals. The advantage of Sumo is that the often-complex process of a behavior change is divided into smaller steps that can be followed up and evaluated successively. Any deviations can thus be corrected at an early stage. Sumo is based on an idea of measuring effects at different levels, called levels of analysis. The levels of analysis cover the entire process from completed activities, awareness, use, and satisfaction with the mobility services provided, followed by acceptance and testing of a mobility offer (for example, a new mode of transport) and finally effects in the form of new adopted attitudes and behaviors and its systemic effects. The levels of analysis are coordinated in a systematic way and allow successive monitoring of the effects of the project already during implementation.

How to use the SUMO Model

The SUMO model can be used to evaluate all types of mobility projects. Examples of projects can be Cycle to school campaigns, Cycle to work for employees in municipalities and companies, tests of mobility services in a residential area or communication campaigns. Sumo is primarily a tool for practitioners in the field of Mobility Management. Users of Sumo can be local mobility coordinators, city or traffic planners and their consultants, as well as other people in organizations working to influence mobility patterns, or people working with Mobility Management in companies, schools etc. In addition, Sumo can be a constructive tool for researchers at universities and other research institutions. Sumo should - preferably - be used already at the planning stage at the beginning of a project. At this point, all the necessary preparations for an effective evaluation should be made, which includes defining the overall purpose, target groups, the services provided and the desired new behavior. At all levels of analysis, the user must decide what to measure, which indicators to use and how to measure them. Here you also assess which levels of analysis are not relevant.

Sumo Model Template of the Sumo Model for planning and following up activities

This is a somewhat simplified template based on the SUMO evaluation methodology. We recommend that you read the MaxSumo guide before using the evaluation template for the first time. (Section 2.2.d)

The template is implemented according to the following steps

STEP 1

Define the project mission and establish purpose and goals

STEP 2

Define target groups

STEP 3

Define the services and offers provided by the project

STEP 4

Go through all the levels of analysis, choose which levels to follow up, and define goals and indicators for the selected levels of analysis

STEP 5

Define appropriate data collection methods for the selected levels of analysis

STEP 6

Follow up on the selected analysis levels

STEP 7

Evaluate the project and explain observed change

Example of Sumo Model from the Municipality of Karlstad

In this section you will find a practical example on how the Sumo Model Template could be used to plan and follow up project activities on the topic of Sustainable Mobility. The Sumo Approach is here applied to the Winter Cyclist Project developed by the Municipality of Karlstad to reduce the use of private cars for work commuting in the area of Karlstad.

Additional materials for the learners

MaxSumo: Guidance on how to plan, monitor and evaluate mobility projects