Microsimulation - Traffic Microsimulation

Traffic Microsimulation

Microsimulation is also a term used in traffic modelling and is typified by software packages such as VISSIM, TSIS-CORSIM, Cube Dynasim, LISA+, Quadstone Paramics, SiAS Paramics, Simtraffic and Aimsun. Empirical modelling software such as LINSIG, TRANSYT, TRANSYT-7F or SIDRA INTERSECTION represent a different class of models based on deterministic methods.

Traffic microsimulation models simulate the behaviour of individual vehicles within a predefined road network and are used to predict the likely impact of changes in traffic patterns resulting from changes to traffic flow or from changes to the physical environment.

Microsimulation has its greatest strength in modelling congested road networks due to its ability to simulate queueing conditions. Microsimulation models will continue to provide results at high degrees of saturation, up to the point of absolute gridlock. This capability makes these type of models very useful to analyse traffic operations in urban areas and city centers, including interchanges, roundabouts, unsignalized and signalized intersections, signal coordinated corridors, and area networks. Microsimulation also reflects even relatively small changes in the physical environment such as the narrowing of lanes or the relocation of junction stop lines.

In recent years, microsimulation modelling has gained attention in its ability to visually represent predicted traffic behaviour through 3D animation, enabling laypeople such as politicians and the general public to fully appreciate the impacts of a proposed scheme. Further advances are being made in this area with the merging of microsimulation model data with cinematic quality 3D animation and with virtual reality by such companies as FORUM8 in Japan.