Efficient Origin-Destination Estimation Using Microscopic Traffic Simulation with Restricted Rerouting

Traffic simulators are utilized to solve a variety of traffic-related problems.For such simulators,origin-destination(OD)traffic volumes as mobility demands are required to input,and we need to estimate them.The authors regard an OD estimation as a bi-level programming problem,and apply a microscopic traffic simulation model to it.However,the simulation trials can be computationally expensive if full dynamic rerouting is allowed,when employing multi-agent-based models in the estimation process.This paper proposes an efficient OD estimation method using a multi-agent-based simulator with restricted dynamic rerouting to reduce the computational load.Even though,in the case of large traffic demand,the restriction on dynamic rerouting can result in heavier congestion.The authors resolve this problem by introducing constraints of the bi-level programming problem depending on link congestion.Test results show that the accuracy of the link traffic volume reproduced with the proposed method is virtually identical to that of existing methods but that the proposed method is more computationally efficient in a wide-range or high-demand context.

Analyzing influence of bicycles on traffic flow using microscopic simulation approach

Mixed traffic consisting of cars and bicycles is a typical pattern of urban traffic in China. To study the impact of bicycles on traffic performance, a microscopic simulating model based on the principle of cautious driving and collision free was proposed. The interaction between cars and bicycles were described by lateral friction and overlapping driving. The dynamical features of speed and time-headway were investigated by numerical simulations. The results show that bicycles have a significant impact on travel speed and time-headway. The effect of bicycles can cause different results in the free flow phase and congestion phase respectively. The results also indicate the necessity to mitigate the interaction between motorized vehicles and non-motorized vehicles.

Scheduling of high-speed rail traffic based on discrete-time movement model

In this paper, a new simulation approach for solving the mixed train scheduling problem on the high-speed double-track rail line is presented. Based on the discrete-time movement model, we propose control strategies for mixed train movement with different speeds on a high-speed double-track rail line, including braking strategy, priority rule, travelling strategy, and departing rule. A new detailed algorithm is also presented based on the proposed control strategies for mixed train movement. Moreover, we analyze the dynamic properties of rail traffic flow on a high-speed rail line. Using our proposed method, we can effectively simulate the mixed train schedule on a rail line. The numerical results demonstrate that an appropriate decrease of the departure interval can enhance the capacity, and a suitable increase of the distance between two adjacent stations can enhance the average speed. Meanwhile, the capacity and the average speed will be increased by appropriately enhancing the ratio of faster train number to slower train number from 1.

Evaluation of Merge Control Strategies at Interstate Work Zones under Peak and Off-Peak Traffic Conditions

Maintenance and rehabilitation projects of interstate facilities typically mandate lane closures. Lane closures require merging maneuvers that often result in reduced speeds and traffic bottlenecks. Work zone impacts on traffic operations are magnified when project durations are extended. Conventionally, work zone traffic control plans are developed to address work zone impacts. This study evaluated various merge control strategies at interstate work zones peak and off-peak traffic conditions and summarized related impacts. A comprehensive microscopic simulation model was developed in full consideration of driver/vehicle behavior at work zones. The analysis of simulation results revealed that merge control strategies, when implemented during peak and off-peak conditions, can preserve the level of service and provide favorable mobility, safety, and environmental impacts. In addition, results indicate that transportation agencies’ practice of scheduling work zone activities during the off-peak may not be the most optimum approach. Overall, the findings of this study highlight the need for evaluation of work zone scheduling practices in full consideration of agency, user, and project costs.

Traffic Dataset and Dynamic Routing Algorithm in Traffic Simulation

The purpose of this research is to create a simulated environment for teaching algorithms,big data processing,and machine learning.The environment is similar to Google Maps,with the capacity of finding the fastest path between two points in dynamic traffic situations.However,the system is significantly simplified for educational purposes.Students can choose different traffic patterns and program a car to navigate through the traffic dynamically based on the changing traffic.The environments used in the project are Visual IoT/Robotics Programming Language Environment(VIPLE)and a traffic simulator developed in the Unity game engine.This paper focuses on creating realistic traffic data for the traffic simulator and implementing dynamic routing algorithms in VIPLE.The traffic data are generated from the recorded real traffic data published on the Arizona Maricopa County website.Based on the generated traffic data,VIPLE programs are developed to implement the traffic simulation with support for dynamic changing data.

Traffic organization during urban road constructions

This research presented a bi-level programming approach to optimize the schedule of ur- ban road construction activities based on a hypothetical transport network, with an objective of mini- mizing the overall traffic delays. A heuristic algorithm was utilized to identify a set of road construction schedules, while PARAMICS was adopted to estimate the total travel time in the network under each road construction scenario. To test the performance of proposed heuristics-simulation methodology, a numerical test was implemented. The overall results suggested that the proposed methodol- ogy could quickly find the optimum solution with good convergence.

A Feasible Partial Train Traffic Simulation Using Diagram Expressed in Network

Simulating large-scale and complex systems is commonly considered a difficult and time-consuming task. In this paper, we propose a partial simulation way to speed up the simulation with real time demands. It is based on the idea that a train traffic diagram is expressed in a network, and through calculating the maximal long path in the network the simulation is done, but only within a particular partial area.Upon this, we let it become a problem oriented simulation. The simulation could be started at any time,from any trains or at any stations and stopped as the same way according to the problem to be concerned.We can use this kind of simulation to analyse or confirm the correctness of traffic schedule at a high speed to meet the real time demands.

Modeling and Evaluation of the Impact of Motorcycles Mobility on Vehicular Traffic

Traffic simulation can help to evaluate the impact of different mobility behaviors on the traffic flow from safety, efficiency, and environmental views. The objective of this paper is to extend the SUMO (Simulation of Urban Mobility) road traffic simulator to model and evaluate the impact of motorcycles mobility on vehicular traffic. First, we go through diverse mobility aspects and models for motorcycles in SUMO. Later, we opt for the most suitable mobility models of motorcycles. Finally, the impact of motorcycle mobility on different kinds of vehicles is investigated in terms of environment, fuel consumption, velocity and travel time. The result of modeling and evaluation shows that based on the mobility model of the motorcycle, vehicular traffic flow can be enhanced or deteriorated.

Study on the Signal Control System of Urban Traffic with a Genetic Algorithm

In the paper the aim and meaning of traffic microscopic simulation is discussed first, and then three sub-models of the system are established, e. i. the model for random generation of the vehicles, the model for car-following and lane change influenced by an adjacent vehicle, and the model for control and optimization of intersection with signal. Optimization of the traffic signal timing with a genetic algorithm and a microscopic simulation is carried out. It represents a novel approach to solving optimal signal timing.

Enhancing Urban Mobility: Exploring the Potential of Exclusive Motorcycle Lane Using VISSIM

The proliferation of Mobility on Demand (MOD) services has ushered in a surge of ridesharing platforms, catalyzing the emergence of micro mobility solutions like motorcycle sharing. Consequently, motorcycles have witnessed unprecedented growth over recent decades. This proliferation, while offering convenience, has introduced challenges such as diminished road capacity, and compromised safety. This study advocates for the implementation of exclusive motorcycle lanes to mitigate the ensuing disorderliness using VISSIM microsimulation platform. Empirical data from a key corridor in Dhaka is harnessed to calibrate and simulate network performance scenarios—pre- and post-implementation of dedicated motorcycle lanes. The outcomes of our simulation experiments exhibit the implementation of dedicated motorcycle lanes leads to a reduction in vehicular throughput but improvement the flow of motorcycles. In addition, Surrogate Safety Measures (SSMs) demonstrate the safety improvements through implementation of the treatment.

Resilience analysis of road tunnels subject to refurbishment work

After some tragic fire events,Directive 2004/54/EC was issued to ensure a minimum safety level for tunnels belonging to the Trans-European Road Network longer than 500 m.Nowadays,most of the Italian road tunnels are still not in compliance with the minimum safety requirements,thus refurbishment works are often planned.By developing a traffic macro-simulation model,this paper aims at assessing the resilience of an existing twin-tube motorway tunnel when one of its tubes is partially or completely closed due to planned activities.Several scenarios were investigated,also considering the availability or not of an alternative itinerary in the surrounding transportation network.The average vehicles’speed was used as a functionality parameter,while the resilience metrics were the resilience loss,the recovery speed,and the resilience index.The findings showed higher resilience losses for complete closure rather than partial closure of the tube under planned refurbishment works.The implementation of digital technologies,such as variable message signs,might reduce the resilience loss of the tunnel system.This research might represent a reference for tunnel management agencies in the choice of the most appropriate traffic control strategy to improve tunnel resilience in the event of planned activities.

Calibration of a rule-based intelligent network simulation model

This paper is focused on calibration of an intelligent network simulation model （INS1M） with reallife transportation network to analyse the INSIM＇s feasibility in simulating commuters＇ travel choice behaviour under the influence of real-time integrated multimodal traveller information （IMTI）. A transportation network model for the central and western areas of Singapore was simulated in PARAMICS and integrated with INSIM expert system by means of an application programming interface to form the INSIM. Upon calibration, INSIM was able to realistically present complicated scenarios in which real-time IMTI was provided to commuters and the network performance measures being recorded.

Datamining and Its Applications

Artificial intelligence and machine learning are widely applied in all domain applications today,including noncontact vital sign monitoring,data mining and denoising,data analysis,and application as traffic simulation and green finance.We briefly introduce the noncontact vital sign monitoring using video data and the solutions to this problem supplied by Artificial intelligence and machine learning.Then,we present the five papers selected in the related areas for this journal issue.

Evaluation and Improvement of Roundabouts in Changchun

In Changchun, China, roundabouts are fairly common. They are often designed to connect the main roads because of their ability to reduce conflict points, making them safer than other intersections. They can also beautify the city when the central islands are landscaped. However, with increasing traffic, they may not function well and may even paralyze the road network. This means that it is important to evaluate the performance of roundabouts promptly, and to make necessary improvements if required. Using several roundabouts in Changchun as case studies, this article uses V/C ratio and delay to evaluate roundabout performance. Based on the result of evaluation, the micro-simulation model of the poorly-performing roundabout is built and enhancement is proposed.

"Charge while driving"for electric vehicles:road traffic modeling and energy assessment

The aim of this research study is to present a method for analyzing the performance of the wireless inductive charge-while-driving(CWD)electric vehicles,from both traffic and energy points of view.To accurately quantify the electric power required from an energy supplier for the proper management of the charging system,a traffic simulation model is implemented.This model is based on a mesoscopic approach,and it is applied to a freight distribution scenario.Lane changing and positioning are managed according to a cooperative system among vehicles and supported by advanced driver assistance systems(ADAS).From the energy point of view,the analyses indicate that the traffic may have the following effects on the energy of the system:in a low traffic level scenario,the maximum power that should be supplied for the entire road is simulated at approximately 9 MW;and in a high level traffic scenario with lower average speeds,the maximum power required by the vehicles in the charging lane increases by more than 50%.

Effects of winter weather on traffic operations and optimization of signalized intersections

Adverse winter weather has always been a cause of traffic congestion and road collisions.To mitigate the negative impacts of winter weather, transportation agencies are under increasing pressure to introduce weather responsive traffic management strategies.Currently, most traffic signal control systems are designed for normal weather conditions and are therefore suboptimal regarding efficiency and safety for controlling traffic during winter snow events due to changes in traffic patterns and driver behaviors. The main objective of this research is to explore how to modify pre-timed traffic signal control parameters under adverse weather conditions to increase traffic efficiency and road safety.This research consists of two main components. First, we examine the impacts of winter weather on three key traffic parameters, i.e., saturation flow rate, start-up lost time, and free flow speed. Secondly, we investigate the potential benefits of implementing weatherspecific signal control plans for uncoordinated intersections as well as coordinated corridors. Two case studies are conducted, each with varying levels of traffic demand and winter event severity, to compare the performance of different signal plans. Evaluation results from both Synchro and VISSIM show that implementing such signal plans is most beneficial for intersection with a medium level of traffic demand. It is also found that the benefit of implementing weather-responsive plans was more compelling at a coordinatedcorridor level than at an uncoordinated-intersection level.

Investigating the impacts of urban speed limit reduction through microscopic traffic simulation

Road traffic congestion has become an everyday phenomenon in today's cities all around the world.The reason is clear:at peak hours,the road network operates at full capacity.In this way,growing traffic demand cannot be satisfied,not even with traffic-responsive signal plans.The external impacts of traffic congestion come with a serious socio-economic cost:air pollution,increased travel times and fuel consumption,stress,as well as higher risk of accidents.To tackle these problems,a number of European cities have implemented reduced speed limit measures.Similarly,a general urban speed limit measure is in preparatory phase in Budapest,Hungary.In this context,a complex preliminary impact assessment is needed using a simulated environment.Two typical network parts of Budapest were analyzed with microscopic traffic simulations.The results revealed that speed limits can affect traffic differently in diverse network types indicating that thorough examination and preparation works are needed prior to the introduction of speed limit reduction.

An integrated approach for dynamic traffic routing and ramp metering using sliding mode control

The problem of designing integrated traffic control strategies for highway networks with the use of route guidance, ramp metering is considered. The highway network is simulated using a first order macroscopic model called LWR model which is a mathematical traffic flow model that formulates the relationships among traffic flow characteristics in terms of density, flow, and mean speed of the traffic stream. An integrated control algorithm is designed to solve the proposed problem, based on the inverse control technique and variable structure control（super twisting sliding mode）. Three case studies have been tested in the presence of an on-ramp at each alternate route and where there is a capacity constraint in the network. In the first case study, there is no capacity constraint at either upstream or downstream of the alternate routes and the function of the proposed algorithm is only to balance the traffic flow on the alternate routes. In the second case study, there is capacity constraint at downstream of alternate routes. The proposed algorithm aims to avoid congestion on the main road and balance the traffic flow on the alternate routes. In the last case study, there is capacity constraint at upstream of alternate routes. The objective of proposed algorithm is to avoid congestion on the main road and to balance the traffic flow on the alternate routes. The obtained results show that the proposed algorithms can establish user equilibrium between two alternate routes even when the on-ramps, located at alternate routes, have different traffic demands.

TWO-DIMENSIONAL MODEL OF TRAFFIC FLOW CONTAINING ROAD SECTIONS

Both the cross and road section are basic components in traffic systems. Ageneral cellular automaton model of two-dimensional traffic flow containing road section wasestablished. The model was simulated with respect to various section lengths and the randomdistribution of section lengths. The effect of road sections on the performance of traffic flow wasdiscussed based on simulation results

Safety benefit of cooperative control for heterogeneous traffic on-ramp merging

The safety of heterogeneous traffic is a vital topic in the oncoming era of autonomous vehicles(AVs).The cooperative vehicle infrastructure system(CVIS)is considered to improve heterogeneous traffic safety by connecting and controlling AVs cooperatively,and the connected AVs are so-called connected and automated vehicles(CAVs).However,the safety impact of cooperative control strategy on the heterogeneous traffic with CAVs and human-driving vehicles(HVs)has not been well investigated.In this paper,based on the traffic simulator SUMO,we designed a typical highway scenario of on-ramp merging and adopted a cooperative control method for CAVs.We then compared the safety performance for two different heterogeneous traffic systems,i.e.AV and HV,CAV and HV,respectively,to illustrate the safety benefits of the cooperative control strategy.We found that the safety performance of the CAV and HV traffic system does not always outperform that of AV and HV.With random departSpeed and higher arrival rate,the proposed cooperative control method would decrease the conflicts significantly whereas the penetration rate is over 80%.We further investigated the conflicts in terms of the leading and following vehicle types,and found that the risk of a AV/CAV followed by a HV is twice that of a HV followed by another HV.We also considered the safety effect of communication failure,and found that there is no significant impact until the packet loss probability is greater than 30%,while communication delay’s impact on safety can be ignored according to our experiments.