Investigating Initialization Times, Repetitions, and MOE Variability in Simulation of Under Saturated and Saturated Traffic Signals

Abstract

This study involved investigating the sensitivity of MOEs to different simulation initialization times (7, 10, and 13minutes); observing the trend of variation of MOEs with increased simulation runs; and identifying the major contributors of variation in MOEs. The results showed that (i) the MOEs of a simulated saturated intersection are indeed sensitive to initialization times; (ii) the variation within MOEs reached a steady state with increased number of simulation runs, and the required number of simulation runs to attain such a state changed with respect to the level of congestion; (iii) lane changing and gap acceptance parameters play a major role as a source of variation of MOEs (delay/vehicle). © 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd.