VISSIM Software Research Articles

Development of a Microscopic Simulation Based Performance Evaluation Model to Compare Operational Improvements with Capacity Additions

The objective of this study is to develop a microscopic simulation model to objectively compare operational improvements with capacity expansions. Simulation software VISSIM was used to redesign the existing facilities for the performance evaluation of operational improvement and capacity expansion strategies from delay time, emission and fuel consumption perspective. Two case studies were performed with different test beds to evaluate the effectiveness of performance evaluation model, majorly involving dynamic speed, ramp metering and hard shoulder usage strategies which are discussed in detail to illustrate the changes due to operational improvement and capacity expansion strategies.

Research on the Improvement of Traffic Congestion near School Area Based on Simulation

This paper uses the simulation software VISSIM to build temporary parking traffic models in front of the Affiliated Primary School of the Inner Mongolia Agricultural University. Selecting speed, acceleration and queued data calibrate the simulation model. The results prove that the simulation model is effective. After that two organizations plan are proposed to ease congestion.

Analysis of Intersection Signal Delay Based on VISSIM Simulation

Urban signalized intersections travel delay is an important part of the total traffic delays. To improve the traffic capacity of intersection is of great significance to solve the urban traffic problems. Combining with Hohhot Shi Yang Street Bridge Road and Five Tower Temple East Street intersection, this article had a detailed analysis of the intersection delay. We used the HCM2000 delay calculation model and microscopic traffic simulation software VISSIM to analyze the intersection delay. This is very useful for traffic management and controlling.

The Intersection Optimization Problem of New Road in Hohhot

With the rapid development of the city in Hohhot, new road has increased year by year. The full use of road resources will be achieved and the traffic congestion in future will be prevented by the traffic organization optimization of new road intersection. In this paper, through the investigation on new road intersection in Hohhot, the characteristics of new road intersection are conducted, and the existing problems are pointed out, and then some corresponding improvement measures are put forward. Take the intersection of Wuliying road in Xilinguole South road, one of new trunk roads, as an example to construct the intersection simulation model by using VISSIM software, and then compare and analysis the traffic evaluation parameters before and after the implementation of related measures. The simulation results show that through the reasonable optimization measures, the level of service of the intersection and the utilization rate of road resources can be improved to a certain extent, which will contribute to the prevention of traffic congestion in the future.

An optimal variable speed limits system to ameliorate traffic safety risk

Active Traffic Management (ATM) systems have been emerging in recent years in the US and Europe. They provide control strategies to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion on freeways. This study investigates the feasibility of utilizing a Variable Speed Limits (VSL) system, one key part of ATM, to improve traffic safety on freeways. A proactive traffic safety improvement VSL control algorithm is proposed. First, an extension of the METANET (METANET: A macroscopic simulation program for motorway networks) traffic flow model is employed to analyze VSL’s impact on traffic flow. Then, a real-time crash risk evaluation model is estimated for the purpose of quantifying crash risk. Finally, optimal VSL control strategies are achieved by employing an optimization technique to minimize the total crash risk along the VSL implementation corridor. Constraints are setup to limit the increase of average travel time and the differences of the posted speed limits temporarily and spatially. This novel VSL control algorithm can proactively reduce crash risk and therefore improve traffic safety. The proposed VSL control algorithm is implemented and tested for a mountainous freeway bottleneck area through the micro-simulation software VISSIM. Safety impacts of the VSL system are quantified as crash risk improvements and speed homogeneity improvements. Moreover, three different driver compliance levels are modeled in VISSIM to monitor the sensitivity of VSL effects on driver compliance. Conclusions demonstrated that the proposed VSL system could improve traffic safety by decreasing crash risk and enhancing speed homogeneity under both the high and moderate compliance levels; while the VSL system fails to significantly enhance traffic safety under the low compliance scenario. Finally, future implementation suggestions of the VSL control strategies and related research topics are also discussed.

Optimization of Signal Intersection with the Combination of VISSIM and SYNCHRO

This paper take Xing Tan road and Wen Huiyuan Road intersection in Beijing for example, get the peak hour traffic flow of the intersection through investigation, and analyzed the causes which affected the traffic capacity of the intersection, put forward improvement measures. Then the SYNCHRO software was used for optimizing intersection signal timing, the VISSIM software was used for simulating the present and after implementing improvement scheme situations. The simulation results showed that the proposed scheme was effective.

Highway capacity through vissim calibrated for mixed traffic conditions

The present study demonstrates applicability of VISSIM software to determine capacity of multilane highways under mixed traffic flow conditions. Traffic flow data collected on a section of four-lane divided highway are used to develop the speed-flow curve. The same set of field data is used in VISSIM and simulated speed-flow curve is compared with field curve. It was found that VISSIM in its original form overestimates both speed and capacity of the highway. Driver behaviour parameters CC0 and CC1 are first determined for homogeneous traffic conditions having only one of the four types of vehicles in the stream and then results are aggregated to get the values of these parameters for a mixed traffic stream. Further analysis of field data with calibrated values of CC0 and CC1 indicated a good match between field and simulated capacity. The procedure is shown to work on another section of four-lane divided highway with paved shoulders, where simulated capacity was 5329 pcu/hr against the field capacity of 5277 pcu/hr.

A network wide simulation strategy of alternative fuel vehicles

This paper presents an integrated simulator “CUIntegration” to evaluate routing strategies based on energy and/or traffic measures of effectiveness for any Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFVs). The CUIntegration can integrate vehicle models of conventional vehicles as well as AFVs developed with MATLAB-Simulink, and a roadway network model developed with traffic microscopic simulation software VISSIM. The architecture of this simulator is discussed in this paper along with a case study in which the simulator was utilized for evaluating a routing strategy for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) and Electric Vehicles (EVs). The authors developed a route optimization algorithm to guide an AFV based on that AFV driver’s choice, which included; finding a route with minimum (1) travel time, (2) energy consumption or (3) a combination of both. The Application Programming Interface (API) was developed using Visual Basic to simulate the vehicle models/algorithms developed in MATLAB and direct vehicles in a roadway network model developed in VISSIM accordingly. The case study included a section of Interstate 83 in Baltimore, Maryland, which was modeled, calibrated and validated. The authors considered a worst-case scenario with an incident on the main route blocking all lanes for 30min. The PHEVs and EVs were represented by integrating the MATLAB-Simulink vehicle models with the traffic simulator. The CUIntegration successfully combined vehicle models with a roadway traffic network model to support a routing strategy for PHEVs and EVs. Simulation experiments with CUIntegration revealed that routing of PHEVs resulted in cost savings of about 29% when optimized for the energy consumption, and for the same optimization objective, routing of EVs resulted in about 64% savings.

Offset effects on the capacity of paired signalised intersections during oversaturated conditions

Paired signalised intersections (PSI) are two closely signalised intersections with short distance between them as queue spillbacks and upstream intersection blockages occur. Due to queue spillbacks, the PSI have their own consideration regarding operational characteristics that are different from isolated intersections or coordinated networks. This paper explores the effects of timing plans offset on the movement capacity that passes through both intersections under several cases and situations. For this purpose, an analytical model is chosen to evaluate the movement capacities. The model has been coded and integrated into INBAR software, then it has been validated with results from the micro simulation software Vissim for various tests. A comparison of the two sets of results shows only minor deviations. The importance of offset is demonstrated through sensitivity analyses for different timing plan variables and parameters.

A Study of an Adaptive Two-Phrase Signal Control Strategy for Resolving Conflicting Transit Signal Priority Calls

This paper presents the development and evaluation of an adaptive two-phrase signal control strategy to resolve conflicting Transit Signal Priority (TSP) requests. The strategy was designed to provide adaptive transit signal priority control, using vehicle systems and existing traffic control devices. In this paper, the strategys efficiency was tested using a micro-simulation software VISSIM and build one arterial road contains five intersections and serves more than twenty conflicting bus lines. The VAP module was used to control TSP of conflicting requests. In the simulation, actual data was used. Finally, control efficiency about adaptive signal control strategy is discussed. The results show that the presented strategy can improve the operation efficiency of bus corporations. This signal control strategy reduced the travel delay time by 33 % to 55% of transit, while has little impact on private traffic. The strategy shows promising results. In addition, with minor upgrades, it can be applied to any type of intersection.

Evaluation of Signal Control Strategy Based on Hardware-in-the-Loop

To evaluate the performance of different signal control strategies in intersection, based on the Hardware-In-The-Loop (HITL) simulation technology, a HITL system was established to perform experiment. In the system, microscopic traffic simulation software VISSIM created a virtual environment, in which the traffic flow can be controlled by the real signal controller. One type of intersection and four degrees of traffic volume were designed in the simulation program and three control strategies were set in the signal controller. Twelve simulations were performed in the system. The analysis of travel time and queuing length indicates that different strategies has remarkable influence on travel time, but no significant effect on queuing length.

Evaluation of Area Traffic Management Measures Using Microscopic Simulation Model

Traffic management is the term used to describe a wide range of technical practices undertaken to manage traffic across networks, which includes prioritization, slowing down. Mehdipatnam, the study area, is a major suburb in Hyderabad. It has an APSRTC bus depot, making it a hub of many buses bound to all parts of the city. This has contributed to increase in levels of congestion on roads and junctions. There could be two approaches to solve this problem. First and the most obvious solution is to come up with infrastructure involving wider roads, flyovers, bypasses and expressways. But for developing countries like India, money and space are serious concerns. Second approach is to manage existing traffic, with the use of technology and by involving commuters in the process which is traffic management. Different traffic management measures have been implemented to solve these problems. A model has been developed using micro simulation software VISSIM and the deficiencies of the network have been found. The calibrated model was evaluated with the proposed traffic management measures and their effectiveness was quantified. The proposed measures are reorganization of bus terminal, banning of u turn, junction improvements and signalization of intersections. The problematic area was the bus terminal at Mehdipatnam which was found to be most benefited by the proposed measures. Separate evaluation has been done for accessing the performance of public transit. The reduced travel times, queue lengths and delays show that the proposed measures are effective. The number of stops encountered by vehicles and the stopped delay caused was also quantified. Other traffic management measures like rerouting and signal coordination have also been suggested for further improvement of the study area.

The Study in Diamond Interchange Traffic Organization

The diamond interchange is one of the common forms of road intersection. The design of most of the existing diamond interchanges is based on unsaturated traffic conditions, and transit operation shows its unique properties when traffic tends to reach saturation. In view of this, we analyzed the traffic organization of diamond interchange, studied the improvement of scheme and focused on the import and export of massive diamond interchange traffic organization. VISSIM software was used to simulate the adjustment effect of import and export of the massive in saturated traffic conditions with the specific parameters such as average delay time, average queue length and the times of the average parking. Import and export traffic organization before and after adjustment was also evaluated based on entropy of the congestion of intersection to make objectively assessment more effective.

Delay Analysis of Stop Sign Intersection and Yield Sign Intersection based on VISSIM

Travel efficiency and traffic safety of unsignalized intersections are two main objectives considered in traffic management and control. Stop sign and yield sign are the most common traffic signs to display the right of the way for all direction vehicle flows of unsignalized intersections. While in most cities in China, signalized control are always adopted for all intersections without considering level of traffic flow volume. This paper analyzes the difference between the stop sign intersection and yield sign intersection from the aspects of delay analysis. Firstly, intersections are designed in VISSIM software and traffic flow performance is validated via VISSIM. Then average vehicular delay under different traffic volumes is analysed under stop sign and yield sign respectively. Taking the lowest delay as the optimal objective, the critical traffic volume is proposed to set stop sign or yield sign. The results can be used in practice to guide the installation of traffic signs.

The optimization of On-ramp Junction Capacity based on Zippered Control Strategy

Traffic congestion on on-ramp metered areas will increase the delay and reduce the capacity of urban elevated road dramatically. The method of alternate driving has the function of increasing the capacity of the on-ramp metered areas under the crowded conditions effectively. Focusing on the variation of metered proportion of the main-road and on-ramp road, a cellular automaton based model was proposed with respect to the optimal capacity, which is judged by the interflow numbers. The proposed capacity model is expected to be an improvement to the traditional model with the theory of cellular automation. The evaluation work was carried out by the VISSIM software, and the simulations show good corresponding results according to the optimal capacity model.

Study on the Applicability of Grading Speed Limit Programs in the Highway Construction Operation Zone

The grading speed limit programs were simulated under different traffic conditions by using traffic simulation software VISSIM, the applicability of grading speed limit programs in the highway construction work zone were studied, the value of each applicability assessment indicators was drawn, and the values were evaluated and compared comprehensively by a weighted addition ratings method. The results indicate that the degree of the applicability of each grading speed limit programs is different, and they have different impact on safety and traffic efficiency of highway construction work zone.

Computer-aided analysis and evaluation on ramp spacing along urban expressways

High traffic efficiency on urban expressways and their ramps is the crucial requirement to ensure the optimum design and reliable operation of urban traffic networks in large cities. The mismatch between ramp configurations and spacing can lead to the dramatic drop of traffic capacity and efficiency. The traffic performance in different scenarios for four typical configurations along urban expressways is simulated after the calibration of simulation model. The results are then evaluated through the data envelopment analysis (DEA) and analytic hierarchy process (AHP). The traffic simulation software VISSIM is employed to calculate the critical variables and parameters able to represent traffic performance of urban expressways and their ramps in terms of traffic practice. To carry preferable multi-criteria evaluations from simulation process, the DEA and AHP method are used together to find the appropriate spacing between ramps and evaluate the effects from the different design speeds of frontage roads and opening time of ramps. The proposed method also gives the ranking of different scenarios for four configurations. The applicability and effectiveness of the proposed evaluation methods are demonstrated in case studies where some critical parameters for traffic designs and operations about ramps are practically given through field survey. The results show that the proposed methodology is vitally important for traffic planners and designers to assure an effective evaluation and decision support on complex transportation systems.

A Method for Determining Length of Freeway Work Zone Based on Classification of Service Level

based on the relationship between speed and density according to the classification criteria of freeway service level when the design speed is 80km/h in Highway capacity manual, the method of microscopic traffic flow simulation supported by VISSIM software is adopted, such that, in the situation the capacity and desired speed are guaranteed to be consistent with the reality, the proposed values of the length of work zone under different traffic composition and traffic volume are given in the condition that a 2-way-8-lane freeway is half closed for construction with 2-way-4-lane being left open for traffic.

Organization Optimization of Traffic Engineering in Urban CBD

Orderly organization of traffic engineering in the urban CBD (Center Business District) is a difficult problem, with crowding people flow, heavy traffic flow and complex surrounding situation. This paper set CBD along Xinhua Street in Jinhua city center as an example, focused on the organization optimization process of traffic engineering in CBD. Through the survey on traffic engineering status of sections and intersections, it analyzed road congestion characteristics and intersection signal timing with Vissim software emulation, proposed traffic optimization methods as road channelization, intersection signal timing adjustment of Xinhua-Liberation Road. In Xinhua Street section, it can effectively canalized traffic flow by broadening 2 two-way lanes, adding four pedestrian crossing refuges, and separating Motor vehicle and non-motor vehicle separation barrier. It took queue length, number of stops, delay time three indicators as the objective function with the application of Synchro software adjusting the intersection signal timing. As a result, the total queue length could be reduced from 708.5m to 586.6m and total capacity from 2041 pcu/ h to 2838 pcu/ h.

Applicability Study on Simulating Interference of Mixed Traffic at Signalized Intersections Using VISSIM

The applicability of the interference of mixed traffic of VISSIM is inspected indexed by the rate of interference, delay and the average speed of right turn vehicles. This paper took Jiaoda east road and Xueyuan south road intersection (Hereinafter referred to as Sidaokou) as an example, established the simulation platform. Then the actual running condition of vehicles and simulation results were compared. The error between the measured values of each index and simulation values are in the range of 20%, which shows that it is applicable to use the simulation software VISSIM to simulate the interference between mixed traffic at signalized intersection.