Traffic microsimulation models are becoming widely used and valuable tools in modeling existing and planned future transportation networks and conditions. These models can help transportation professionals make important decisions on such topics as new roadway alignments and configurations, new interchange configurations and locations, the addition of freeway auxiliary lanes, work zone management strategies and plans, operational and intelligent transportation system (ITS) strategies and plans, coordination and timing of traffic signals, and the addition of high-occupancy toll lanes. Although many of the microsimulation models used today are robust and provide a wide range of analysis options, some gaps and limitations still exist that can affect the accuracy of their results.
Since the 1970s, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has been a leader in the development of traffic simulation models. Before FHWA undertook a leadership role, no commercial traffic simulation packages existed in the marketplace. To help achieve wider acceptance of the use of microsimulation systems and ensure the tools provide accurate results, FHWA's Traffic Analysis Tools Program launched the Next Generation SIMulation (NGSIM) program.
To support the development of algorithms for driver behavior at microscopic levels, the Next Generation SIMulation (NGSIM) computer program is collect...
To support the development of algorithms for driver behavior at the microscopic level, the Next Generation SIMulation (NGSIM) program is collecting de...
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