Validation of Microscopic Traffic Models Based on GPS Precise Measurement of Vehicle Dynamics
Abstract
A necessary stage in the development of traffic models is model validation, where the developed model is verified by comparing its outputs with observed data. The most frequently used variables are average value of speed, flow intensity and flow density (during a selected period).It is possible to use these values for the calibration of macroscopic models, but one cannot always obtain a relevant microscopic dynamic model in this way. A typical use of the microsimulation models is the capacity assessment, where this sort of data (flow, speed and queues) is considered to be standard and sufficient. However microsimulation is also increasingly being used for other assessments (e.g. noise and emissions) where the correct representation of each vehicle’s acceleration and deceleration plays a crucial role. Another emerging area is the use of microsimulation to predict near-miss situations and conflicts to identify dangerous and accident prone locations. In such assessments the vehicle trajectory, distance from other vehicles as well as velocity and acceleration are very important.Additional source of data, which can be used to validate vehicle dynamics in microsimulation models, is the Global Positioning System (GPS) that is able to determine vehicle position with centimeter accuracy.In this article we discuss validation of selected microscopic traffic models, based on the comparison of simulated vehicle dynamics with observed dynamic characteristics of vehicles recorded by the precise geodetic GPS equipment.References
Olstam, J. J. and Tapani, A.: “Comparison of car-following models”, Tech. rep., Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (2004)
Helbing, D.: “Empirical Traffic Data and Their Implications for Traffic Modeling”, Physical Review E 55, R25 (1997)
Muzik, J. and Gavulova, A.: “Traffic Data Processing with Integrated GIS and GPS“. In Journal of Information, Control and Management Systems, Vol. IX, No.3, (2011), ISSN: 1336-1716
Chandler, R. E., Herman, R. and Montroll, E.W.: “Traffic Dynamics: Studies in Car Following”, Operations Research 6, 165–184 (1958)
Treiber, M., Hennecke, A. and Helbing, D.: “Congested Traffic States in Empirical Observations and Microscopic Simulations”, Physical Review E 62, 1805-1824 (2000)
Wiedemann, R.: “Simulation des Straßenverkehrsflusses” Schriftenreihe des Instituts für Verkehrswesen Vol. 8, Institut für Verkehrswesen, Universität Karlsruhe (1974)
Fritzsche, H.T.: “A model for traffic simulation”, Traffic Engineering and Control, 35(5), 317-321 (1994)
Brockfeld, E. and Wagner, P.: “Calibration and Validation of Microscopic Traffic Flow Models”. In: Traffic and Granular Flow ‘03, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg (2005)
Apeltauer, T., Holcner, P. and Macur, J.: “Pattern Formation in Traffic Microscopic Model”, in Traffic and Granular Flow ’07 pp. 259–264 (2009)
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).