Simulation of U-turn traffic based on VISSIM and PARAMICS micro simulation

Abstract

Traffic simulation models are one of the most important tools that are widely used to analyse and manage transport systems. These tools are used to model complex traffic sites and evaluate various traffic alternatives and testing their effect prior to application in real sites. Median U- turn is an example of such complicated sites. There are many microsimulation tools such as VISSIM, ALIMSUN and PARAMICS. The goal of this study is to develop the simulation model of median U-turns and compares between VISSIM and PARAMICS models. The data were collect from two-selected site at Al-Diwaniyah city, Iraq. The data used in verification of the developed model represent the through traffic volumes and turning traffic volumes at both directions as well as the average queue length created at the U-turn site. The calibration and validation process of the developed models show that both VISSIM and PARAMICS models can provides reasonable approximation for real traffic at the selected site. Further research is needed to examine these tools based on additional sites and to apply such tools to examine different scenarios to enhance traffic conditions at U-turn sites.