Introduction to Microscopic Traffic Simulation: Fundamentals and Interactive Lessons

In-depth resource to understand the fundamentals of traffic simulation and computational methods

Introduction to Microscopic Traffic Simulation offers a comprehensive exploration into an essential tool in modern transportation engineering. This book bridges the gap between foundational theory and practical application, covering a wide range of topics from computational methods and roadway network structures to vehicle and driver characteristics and sophisticated vehicle movement algorithms.

What sets this book apart are the many interactive, hands-on learning experiences included throughout. Many of the concepts described are illustrated through example problems using R programming code. This code can be copied into one of several free online or downloadable R code execution environments. The code is structured in a manner to allow easy modification of input values, facilitating direct experimentation with the concepts by the student.

The book also features integration with the companion microscopic traffic simulation software, SwashSim, developed by the author. The last chapter of the book includes many real-world traffic simulation examples, which are demonstrated with the SwashSim program. The simulation network and project files for each example are provided with the book. This, in combination with the structure of the SwashSim program, minimizes the student effort required for the operational aspects of the software, allowing more focus on the simulation fundamentals.

Additionally, Introduction to Microscopic Traffic Simulation includes information on:

• Fundamental differences between simulation and analytical methods
• Microscopic, mesoscopic, macroscopic, and hybrid forms of simulation, time-based vs event-based simulation approaches
• Simulation components including roadways/networks and traffic control devices
• The role of random numbers, covering the specifics of random number generation with the computer and methods for generating values from several probability distributions common in traffic analysis scenarios
• Driver and vehicle characteristics, covering fleet types, representative vehicle types, and driver type distributions
• Models and calculations for determining longitudinal and lateral vehicle movements through the roadway network
• Verification, calibration, and validation
• Calculation of performance measures from simulation output

The complexity of modern microscopic traffic simulation has contributed significantly to a black box phenomenon within the practice. This book opens the lid of the black box and demystifies the microscopic simulation process by explaining complex topics in an accessible and interactive manner. Introduction to Microscopic Traffic Simulation is an essential learning aid for students in related programs of study and junior-level practicing engineers.