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Title:

Microscopic Traffic Simulation as a Decision Support System for Road Diet and Tactical Urbanism Strategies

Accession Number:

01764068

Record Type:

Component

Abstract:

Urban street networks in the United States have been primarily designed for automobile traffic with negligible considerations to non-motorized transportation users. Due to environmental issues and quality of life concerns, communities are reclaiming street spaces for active modes and slowing the speeds in their downtown. Moreover, tactical urbanism, i.e., use of street space for innovative purposes other than moving automobile traffic, is becoming attractive due to reduced automobile travel demand and the need for outdoor activities in the age of COVID-19 pandemic. This study provides details of modeling an urban downtown network (the City of San Jose) using microscopic traffic simulation. The model is then applied to evaluate the effectiveness of street design changes at varying demand scenarios. The microsimulation approach was chosen because it allows for detailed modeling and visualization of the transportation networks, including movements of individual vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians. The street design change demonstrated here involves one-way to two-way street conversion, but the framework of network-wide impact evaluation may also be used for complete street conversions. The base conditions network was also tested under different travel demand reduction scenarios (10%, 20%, and 30%) to identify the corridors in the city network on which the tactical urbanism strategies (e.g., open-air dining) may be best accommodated. The study provides the framework for using a microscopic model as part of a decision support system to evaluate and effectively implement complete streets/tactical urbanism strategies.

Supplemental Notes:

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AEP15 Standing Committee on Transportation Planning Analysis and Application.

Report/Paper Numbers:

TRBAM-21-03329

Language:

English

Corporate Authors:

Transportation Research Board

Authors:

Liu, Bernice
Molan, Amirarsalan Mehrara
Pande, Anurag
Howard, Jonathan
Alexander, Serena
Lou, Zhiliang

Pagination:

19p

Publication Date:

2021

Conference:

Transportation Research Board 100th Annual Meeting

Location: Washington DC, United States
Date: 2021-1-5 to 2021-1-29
Sponsors: Transportation Research Board; Transportation Research Board

Media Type:

Digital/other

Features:

Figures; Maps; Photos; References; Tables

Identifier Terms:

VISSIM (Computer model)

Geographic Terms:

San Jose (California)

Subject Areas:

Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Planning and Forecasting; Security and Emergencies

Source Data:

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2021 Paper #TRBAM-21-03329

Files:

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Created Date:

Dec 23 2020 11:18AM