Simulation of Large Freeway and Arterial Network with CORSIM, INTEGRATION, and WATSim

Abstract

Simulation of a large integrated (street and freeway) network with three state-of-the-art software programs is presented. The 20-centerline-km network includes three on-ramps, three off-ramps, an on-and off-ramp weaving section, and a high design arterial with 11 signalized intersections. After considerable modifications to default settings, all three software programs were able to replicate field-measured volumes well. INTEGRATION required extensive modifications to approximate complex signal timing plans and had problems with lane alignment on the wide arterial. CORSIM’s FRESIM component had difficulty with vehicles that miss their destination and required car-following parameter settings corresponding to unusually high capacities to produce good results. WATSim needed the fewest modifications, and it was primarily sensitive to merging and acceleration lengths. WATSim and CORSIM speeds were close to each other. INTEGRATION’s simplified treatment of signalization produced higher street link speeds.