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The use and evaluation of traffic micro-simulation modelling

Transport

  • Project Team:
    • Project Leader: Donncha O’Cinneide (UCC)

  • Description:
    • The focus of this work was on the new types of models that have been developed in recent years which model each vehicle on the network separately. These ‘Micro-simulation’ models are becoming ever more accessible due to the increases in computing power available on PC’s. With this increase in use has come a corresponding increase in the misuse of such models. The main aim of the work was to study the misuse of such models and to develop methods of evaluation of traffic micro-simulation models for various indicators such as accuracy, model outputs, and user interface and model construction time.

      A number of study area road networks were modelled and calibrated and validated using standard procedures in order to develop these evaluation methods. One such road network is the ‘Dewsbury Road’ in Leeds. This 1km long main arterial route into Leeds was used as part of the SMARTEST Project where it was used in a transferability study of results from 3 commercially available micro simulation models. The PARAMICS Program was used to model the study area road networks. Modelling the Leeds network allowed result comparison between AIMSUN, NEMIS DRACULA and PARAMICS.

      A Micro/Macro comparison was also undertaken by using TRANSYT to model the Leeds network. TRANSYT results were compared with the results from three different levels of PARAMICS model results. Level 1 using only geometric and traffic demand data as data input and level three using road geometry, demand profiles, disaggregated HGV and car matrices and public transport. Similar comparisons were also made by using ARCADY and PARAMICS to model study roundabouts in Cork City.

      Recommendations are made for the development of benchmarking study areas. Different programs allowing easy comparison of results can then use these series of standard intersection and network models.

  • Funding Agency:
    • HEA PRTLI