Modeling Concepts for Mixed Traffic

Abstract

A first step is presented toward a simulation tool for shared space zones, including all three prevailing individual modes of transport: cars, bicycles, and walking. Unlike on conventional roads, the behavior in shared spaces cannot be modeled by following a predefined path and strictly obeying traffic rules because the architectural design allows for many more degrees of freedom. Therefore, the research focused on two main aspects: finding a path for each individual and handling potential conflicts with other individuals. A simulation tool is needed because many urban planners see shared space as a modern design concept for busy urban roads. A growing number of cities are interested in experimenting with shared space zones but are uncertain about safety issues and the effectiveness of the design. Although mature simulation tools exist for conventional road designs, no such tool is available for shared space designs because of the added degrees of freedom in movement and more-complex social interactions. To tackle these problems, an infrastructure model was created to help all agents find a path to their destinations. A separate system for handling conflict detects when two agents, following their individual paths, might collide. Game theory is used to resolve these conflicts by maximizing a utility function for different strategies. First results give a preliminary assessment of the functionality of the proposed simulation model for shared space zones and its calibration that uses real trajectories from an existing shared space.