01520198

Component

Capturing highly disaggregate details about traffic dynamics, microscopic traffic simulation has long proved to be a valuable tool for the evaluation of development plans and operations/control strategies. However, the applications of microscopic models still face a number of methodological and practical challenges in large-scale networks. This paper develops a 24-hour large-scale microscopic traffic simulation model for north Washington, DC metropolitan area. The model consists of over 7,000 links, 3500 nodes, 400 signalized intersections, and over 40,000 origin-destination (OD) pairs. Careful calibration and validation have been applied in order for the robustness and reliability of the model. Based upon the calibrated model, a case study on a newly built toll road in Maryland has been conducted. Along with various network-level, corridor-level, and freeway-level performance measures, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Motor Vehicle Emission Simulator (MOVES) is linked with the model for the estimation of environmental impacts. The case study demonstrates the capability of the large-scale microscopic simulation in planning/policy applications. Several methodological and practical challenges for developing multi-period large-scale microscopic traffic simulation models have also been discussed in this paper.

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AHB45 Traffic Flow Theory and Characteristics.

01503729

14-4989

English

19p

2014

Transportation Research Board 93rd Annual Meeting

Digital/other

Figures; References; Tables

Before and after studies; Freeways; Microscopic traffic flow; Toll roads; Traffic flow theory; Traffic models; Traffic simulation

Baltimore Metropolitan Area; Washington Metropolitan Area

Data and Information Technology; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Planning and Forecasting; I70: Traffic and Transport

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2014 Paper #14-4989

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Jan 27 2014 3:45PM