Population Synthesis Techniques: Creating Input Data for Microsimulation Models

Abstract

<p>Population synthesis techniques are used to create lists of population members, where each member is endowed with attributes of interest. Aggregating these attributes across the synthetic members yields distributions which conform to known aggregate tabulations. Population synthesis is used when disaggregate population information is desired, and only aggregate and sample data is available. In this work, population synthesis techniques are discussed and compared, using a small, complete test population of firms. Given the results of these comparisons, populations of individuals and households are synthesized for the City of Hamilton, Ontario. These populations are then linked together to form a hierarchically ordered 'Comprehensive' population, where individuals belong to households, which in turn occupy dwellings over space. The synthesized comprehensive population is created specifically to meet the data input needs of URM-Microsim, a state of the art residential mobility microsimulation model. Originally calibrated for use in Europe, URM-Microsim is adapted for use in the Canadian context via the aforementioned comprehensive population. Some background on residential mobility modelling, as well as the URM-Microsim model is also presented.</p>