Calibration methodology for microscopic traffic simulation models of land ports of entry along the US–Mexico border

Abstract

Non-commercial Land Ports of Entry (LPOEs) are unique transportation facilities controlling the ingress and egress of passenger vehicles from Mexico to the United States and vice versa. The calibration of microscopic traffic simulation models of non-commercial LPOEs requires a deep understanding of operational processes and driving behavior at these facilities. This paper provides a methodology to guide modelers in calibrating microscopic traffic simulation models of non-commercial LPOEs. The methodology establishes a common framework for modeling operational processes and traffic operations. Moreover, the methodology includes the value of four state variables that characterizes operations of passenger vehicles at non-commercial LPOEs. These variables are speed, acceleration, deceleration, and headway. The authors evaluated this methodology using the Otay Mesa non-commercial LPOE as a case study. Results showed that this methodology could be potentially used to model non-commercial LPOEs along the US–Mexico border and other border regions worldwide.