Traffic Analysis Toolbox Volume IV: Guidelines for ...

1 Traffic Analysis Toolbox Volume IV: Guidelines for applying CORSIMM icrosimulation modeling SoftwarePUBLICATION NO. FHWA-HOP-07-079 JANUARY 2007 ii Foreword Traffic simulation software has become increasingly more popular as a Traffic Analysis tool used in transportation analyses. One reason for this increase is the need to model and analyze the operation of complex transportation systems under congested conditions. Where some analytical techniques break down under these types of conditions, simulation has the potential to successfully model these complex scenarios.

2 However, despite the widespread use of Traffic simulation software , there are a variety of conflicting thoughts and practices on how simulation should be used. The purpose of the Guidelines for applying corsim microsimulation modeling software is to provide more specific guidance for using CORridor SIMulation ( corsim ) Traffic simulation software to conduct a transportation Analysis using the process recommended by Volume III: Guidelines for applying Traffic microsimulation modeling software . corsim is the core simulation and modeling component of the Traffic software Integrated System (TSIS) tool suite. The Guidelines provide the reader with a seven-step process that begins with project scope and ends with the final project report.

3 The process is specific to using corsim and TSIS. It is hoped that this document will assist the transportation community in creating a more consistent process in the use of corsim Traffic simulation software . This document serves as Volume IV in the FHWA Traffic Analysis Toolbox . Other volumes currently in the Toolbox include: Volume I: Traffic Analysis Tools Primer, Volume II: Decision Support Methodology for Selecting Traffic Analysis Tools, and Volume III: Guidelines for applying Traffic microsimulation modeling software . The intended audience for this report includes the corsim simulation analyst, the reviewer of corsim simulation analyses, the procurer of corsim simulation services, and the researcher using corsim .

4 Regina McElroy, Director Office of Transportation Management iii Notice This document is disseminated under the sponsorship of the Department of Transportation in the interest of information exchange. The Government assumes no liability for its contents or use thereof. The Government does not endorse products or manufacturers. Trade and manufacturers names appear in this report only because they are considered essential to the objective of the document. Quality Assurance Statement The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) provides high-quality information to serve Government, industry, and the public in a manner that promotes public understanding.

5 Standards and policies are used to ensure and maximize the quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of its information. FHWA periodically reviews quality issues and adjusts its programs and processes to ensure continuous quality improvement. iv Technical Report Documentation Page 1. Report No. FHWA-HOP-07-079 2. Government Accession No. 3. Recipient's Catalog No. 5. Report Date January 2007 4. Title and Subtitle Traffic Analysis Toolbox Volume IV: Guidelines for applying corsim microsimulation modeling software 6. Performing Organization Code 7. Author(s) Peter Holm, Daniel Tomich, Jaimie Sloboden, Cheryl Lowrance 8. Performing Organization Report No.

6 10. Work Unit No. (TRAIS) 9. Performing Organization Name and Address ITT Industries, Inc. 11. Contract or Grant No. 13. Type of Report and Period Covered Final Report, February 2004 December 2006 12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address Office of Operations Federal Highway Administration 400 7th Street, Washington, 20590 14. Sponsoring Agency Code 15. Supplementary Notes FHWA COTR: John Halkias, Office of Transportation Management FHWA COTM: James Colyar, Office of Operations Research & Development 16. Abstract This report describes a process and acts as Guidelines for the recommended use of corsim Traffic simulation software in transportation analyses.

7 The seven-step process presented in these Guidelines highlights the aspects of a corsim Analysis from project start to project completion. The seven steps in the process include: 1) scope project, 2) data collection, 3) base model development, 4) error checking, 5) calibration - comparing model MOEs to field data (and adjusting model parameters), 6) alternatives Analysis , and 7) final report. Each step is described in detail and an example problem applying the process is carried through the entire document. The report appendices contain detailed information covering areas such as: fundamentals of corsim model theory, an overview of corsim capabilities and limitations, guidance on the initialization period, a discussion on actuated signal control in corsim , coding techniques for complex situations, and run-time extension.

8 This is the fourth Volume in a series of volumes in the Traffic Analysis Toolbox . The other volumes currently in the Traffic Analysis Toolbox are: Volume I: Traffic Analysis Tools Primer (FHWA-HRT-04-038) Volume II: Decision Support Methodology for Selecting Traffic Analysis Tools (FHWA-HRT-04-039) Volume III: Guidelines for applying Traffic microsimulation software (FHWA-HRT-04-040) 17. Key Word corsim , Traffic simulation, Traffic Analysis tools, highway capacity, simulation Guidelines , microsimulation 18. Distribution Statement No restrictions. This document is available to the public through the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 22161 19.

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