Title: Driver behaviour considerations in calibrating microsimulation models for capacity

Authors: Craig D. Yannes, Nicholas E. Lownes

Addresses: Dewberry-Goodkind, Inc., 15 E 26th St # 7, New York, NY 10010-1503, USA. ' Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Connecticut, 261 Glenbrook Rd. Unit 2037, Storrs, CT 06269, USA

Abstract: Microscopic simulation (microsimulation) software is a powerful analytical tool that provides inexpensive and efficient analysis of real world traffic conditions. Thorough calibration is imperative for maintaining the reliability, accuracy and prediction power of microsimulation models. Defining roadway capacity is an important component of the calibration process. Microsimulators, such as VISSIM, contain user-defined input parameters which control the capacity of roadways. In previous studies, VISSIM freeway driver behaviour parameters have been shown to individually impact capacity. This paper analyses the interactive relationships between pairs of driver behaviour parameters and roadway capacity. Four interactive relationships were identified and scrutinised for this analysis of the dynamic relationship between simulated capacity and driver behaviour. A better understanding of these relationships will assist in the manual calibration of VISSIM microsimulation models and contribute to the development of automated calibration methodologies.

Keywords: transportation systems; microsimulation; traffic simulation; system analysis; calibration; driver behaviour; modelling; road capacity; model calibration; traffic analysis; car-following parameters; driving modes.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSSS.2010.031468

International Journal of Society Systems Science, 2010 Vol.2 No.1, pp.84 - 99

Published online: 05 Feb 2010 *

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