Application of Microscopic Simulation Model Calibration and Validation Procedure

Abstract

In the application of microscopic simulation models, the importance of model calibration and validation cannot be overemphasized. A recent study proposed a systematic approach for conducting a simulation model calibration and validation procedure on the basis of experimental design and optimization and applied it to an isolated intersection with a VISSIM simulation model. The present study further evaluates the previously developed simulation model calibration and validation procedure by applying it to an urban arterial network consisting of 12 coordinated actuated signalized intersections. Both VISSIM and CORSIM simulation models were used. Travel time was used for the calibration measure, and maximum queue length was used for the validation measure. Study results showed that calibrated and validated simulation models were able to represent field conditions adequately, whereas default parameter–based models could not. As such, the previously developed simulation model calibration and validation procedure was proved effective for an arterial network under both VISSIM and CORSIM simulation models.

Comparative study of simulated annealing, tabu search, and the genetic algorithm for calibration of the microsimulation model

“…It is suggested that, when multiple performance measures are used to assess a simulation model, a combination of these measures is preferred. 13 However, meta-heuristics performance can be compared by using only a single measure. In addition, use of two measures also triggers a scale issue due to difference in magnitudes as well as units.…”

Urban traffic flow modeling in Addis Ababa

“…The use of a popular simulation model has the advantage that comparable case studies are more likely to be found in literature. According to (Park and Won, 2006), the most popular, commercially available microscopic simulation models are: • MITSIM (Yang, 1997) • PARAMICS (Quadstone Limited, 2002) • SimTraffic (Trafficware, 2003) • TRANSIMS (Barrett et al, 1995) • VISSIM (PTV, 2003) • WATSIM (KLDassociates, 1996) Microscopic models are based on lane changing models, car following models and gap acceptance models. The interference flow is mainly described by the car following models.…”

“…No calibration in Ethiopia could be found. However, the general calibration procedures for new locations are well-described (Park and Won, 2006, Park and Schneeberger, 2003, Park and Qi, 2005, Fellendorf and Vortisch, 2000. Detailed data is needed to correctly calibrate microscopic simulation models.…”

Evaluating No-Notice Evacuation Strategies for an Urban Area

“…In standard procedures, multiple simulation runs are performed using a default set of parameters (20). Statistical tests and X-Y plots can be used to determine whether the default parameters are suitable in accurately modeling real world traffic conditions.…”

“…Calibration is typically followed by validation. In validation, field values untried values collected from the field are tested in the simulation model (20). This is performed in order to verify that that over-fitting does not occur in calibration.…”