Abstract:
Traffic Simulation Models have their applications as decision support system for management and project evaluations around the world. For example, the policy makers in Brussels have used simulation models as a decision support to evaluate the strategies for improving the operational efficiency of inter-modal transport. Road network infrastructure development and management projects require large amount of finances for field experiments, which shall prove costlier for developing countries. This paper aims to discuss the use of simulation tool and its results to support the selection of proposed strategy in the study area. A methodology for developing countries is presented that supports the decision of selecting a particular management strategy for improving existing traffic operational conditions. An Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) based traffic management model requires a number of decision support systems. Traffic management is not only a costly but also continues over time. It starts with identification and prioritization of problems and solutions ranked by stakeholders’ group in the initial stages. With traffic data of relatively high accuracy being collected from the field using advanced equipments, simulation models are calibrated for local traffic. Improvements in operational performance require management strategies to be incorporated into the system. Results obtained from these simulation tools compare alternate improvement strategies, and solutions thus giving the best possible solution. This paper presents the development of traffic simulation model for weaving/merging areas validated by applications in existing scenarios. It concludes that traffic simulation models have potential to be used in development of a decision support system as a part of traffic management model.
Page(s):
137-147
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Proceedings of International Conference on Construction in Developing Countries , Volume: 4, Issue: 5, Year: 2008