Calibrating a Traffic Microsimulation Model to Real-World Operating Mode Distributions

This research seeks to understand how driver behavior parameters, as represented in one microsimulation package (TransModeler) can be modified to more closely match real-world vehicle operating characteristics for the purposes of emissions estimates with Motor Vehicle Emissions Simulator (MOVES). The calibration data for the research comes from a vehicle instrumented with the Total On-Board Tailpipe Emissions Measurement System (TOTEMS). TOTEMS generates a wealth of data, including a vehicle’s second-by-second location, speed and acceleration. Data from 41 trials of a conventional gasoline vehicle is used as the basis to compare with microsimulation model output for two streets in Burlington, Vermont: 1) a signalized urban arterial; and, 2) a stop-controlled urban collector. Adjustments to TransModeler car-following parameters could not adequately modify microsimulation vehicle operations to replicate the operational characteristics of the TOTEMS vehicles. However, adjustments to the free-flow model parameters were successful in more closely replicating real-world behavior. Specifically, default free-flow parameters governing the change in acceleration as a target link speed is approached were found to exaggerate driver aggressiveness. Guidelines were developed for adjusting default microsimulation free-flow model parameters to more accurately reflect the operating mode of a real-world vehicle using tailpipe CO and Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 emission rates as comparison metrics. This research quantified the accuracy of a test bed microsimulation model when used for a mobile emissions analysis. For greater accuracy, analysts should be aware of the limitations of using the default free-flow microsimulation parameter values; the dependency of tailpipe emissions on acceleration rates suggest a need for improved microsimulation submodels and/or changes in default parameterizations to more accurately reflect real-world behavior.

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• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper was sponsored by TRB committee ADC20(5) Air Quality Papers. Alternate title: Calibrating Traffic Microsimulation Model to Real-World Operating Mode Distributions
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Talbot, Eric
  • Chamberlin, Robert
  • Holmen, Britt A
  • Sentoff, Karen M
  • 0000-0002-1108-6474
• Conference:
  • Transportation Research Board 93rd Annual Meeting
  • Location: Washington DC
  • Date: 2014-1-12 to 2014-1-16
• Date: 2014

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 19p
• Monograph Title: TRB 93rd Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Acceleration (Mechanics); Behavior; Calibration; Carbon monoxide; Drivers; Exhaust gases; Measurement; Microsimulation; Particulates; Speed
• Identifier Terms: Motor Vehicle Emission Simulator (MOVES)
• Subject Areas: Environment; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; I15: Environment; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01515287
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 14-0406
• Files: PRP, TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Feb 21 2014 3:18PM