On-Call API Support, Technical Guidance, and Applied Research Support for Traffic Microsimulation Models
Team Abstract Approach Related Work Reports
PROJECT TEAM [ back to top ]
M. G. McNally <mmcnally@uci.edu>
W. W. Recker <mmcnally@uci.edu>
Jun-seok Oh <jsoh@uci.edu>
Lianyu Chu <lchu@translab.its.uci.edu>
Henry Liu <hliu@translab.its.uci.edu>

Institute of Transportation Studies and
Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
University of California Irvine
Irvine, CA 92697-3600 USA

Funded by the California Department of Transportation Caltrans via California PATH.

July 1, 2002 through June 30, 2004

PROJECT ABSTRACT [ back to top ]
The conventional travel forecasting (4 step) model is really quite a different tool than traffic microsimulation, with different objectives, theory, data needs, and applications. A significant impetus to the development of microsimulation modeling capabilities, particularly in a planning rather than operational context, is to take conventional forecasting to the "next level" to more carefully assess future impacts spatially and temporally. The integration of these two modeling approaches is therefore neither intuitive nor simple. Microscopic simulation models have the capability to evaluate transportation facility plans and design alternatives as well as traffic operation strategies. A lack of appropriate guidance and/or direction may lead to inappropriate use of and inaccurate results from these models. It is anticipated that, as Caltrans' districts use microsimulation models with increasing frequency, a standardized guidance and evaluation process would facilitate model application and analysis, as well as the comparative interpretation of model results. Under this agreement, UCI's PATH Center for Traffic Simulation Studies (PCTSS) will provide assistance to Caltrans in three broad categories, each comprising several tasks and sub-tasks: (1) On-Call Direct Support, (2) Technical Guidance, and (3) Research Related Support.
RESEARCH APPROACH [ back to top ]
  1. TASK 1. ON-CALL API SUPPORT
    • Task 1.1 Support Caltrans User Inquiries on Currently Implemented UCI-developed APIs.
    • Task 1.2 API Maintenance, Enhancement, and Development
  2. TASK 2. TECHNICAL GUIDANCE ON MICROSIMULATION
    • Task 2.1 Microsimulation Modeling Guidance and Evaluation
    • Task 2.2 Peer Review of Caltrans Microsimulation Model Guidelines
  3. TASK 3. RESEARCH RELATED SUPPORT
    • Task 3.1 The Interface Between the 4-step Model and Traffic Microsimulation Models
    • Task 3.2 Evaluation of Validation/Calibration Techniques for Microsimulation
RELATED PROJECTS [ back to top ]
REPORTS AND PAPERS [ back to top ]
Last Updated: November 20, 2002 [ back to top ]
Team Abstract Approach Related Work Reports
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