Transportation Systems Simulation - A Tutorial for Multi-Modal Simulation Using VISSIM/Introduction

The scope of this book is a tutorial about the use and practical implications of Vissim’s tools for freeway, signalized intersection, pedestrian, transit, and bicycle simulation. The text is broken down into five sections; Freeway Simulation, Signalized Intersection Simulation, Pedestrian and Bicycle Simulation, Transit simulation, and Parking Simulation. Each section is split into subsection related to geometric network design, traffic data input, and/or simulation evaluation. These subsections explore important characteristics and attributes that contribute to building and validating a model. The Geometric Network Design section discusses the methods and tools that are used to build a spatial arena to represent the existing world or a proposed design with a step by step example. The Traffic Data Input section provides a step by step example on how to manipulate data input, compositions, and routes. The Evaluation section introduces a method to extract data from the model in order to analyze in a spreadsheet.

A simulation is only as accurate as the quality of the model and data input. This can be summarized by the expression “Garbage In, Garbage Out”, and is as true with Vissim as any traffic simulation software. One not must view the quality and smooth interface of Vissim as a reflection of the quality and relevance of their own model. A rigorous approach must be taken and the goal of this text is to provide the framework. Each section introduces basic concepts and procedures that can be used as a starting point for well calibrated sophisticated models.

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