Evaluation of the impacts of ITS using traffic simulation

In recent times, there has been a growing interest among researchers and practitioners in developing evaluation frameworks for assessing the benefits of intelligent transport systems (ITS). However, comprehensive research tools for evaluating the benefits of these systems have not been fully developed. For example, the impacts of incident management programs will depend on the extent of existing congestion on the road network, and will also vary according to the severity of the incident, its duration, and the time of day during which it occurs. The use of computer modelling, and microscopic traffic simulation in particular, offers a cost-effective approach in which input conditions can be varied (e.g. to reflect incidents during peak and non-peak conditions) and the impacts of incidents on network performance can be evaluated. This paper presents results from a study which aimed to quantify the impacts of ITS and provide road authorities with the necessary input information for developing the business case for implementation of ITS projects. The evaluation was based on the development of a large-scale micro-simulation model covering an area approximately 122 square kilometres, including 43 kilometres of motorway and about 85 kilometres of arterial roads on the Gold Coast, Australia. The study examined the effectiveness of selected ITS strategies including ramp metering, VMS information dissemination combined with route diversions, and variable speed limit systems. The results reported in this paper demonstrate the feasibility of using traffic simulation to assess the impacts of ITS, and the potential of ITS to provide substantial economic benefits in terms of reduction in travel times, and improvements in safety conditions.

• Record URL:
  • http://www.hardingconsultants.co.nz/ipenz2011/index.html
• Authors:
  • Dia, H
• Conference:
  • Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ) Transportation Conference, 2011, Auckland, New Zealand
• Publication Date: 2011-3

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 13p
• Monograph Title: Moving towards prosperity: IPENZ Transportation Group 2011 Conference, Auckland, 27-30 March 2011

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Evaluation; Incident management; Intelligent transportation systems; Microsimulation; Ramp metering; Variable message signs
• Uncontrolled Terms: Modelling
• Geographic Terms: Australia; Gold Coast (Australia)
• ITRD Terms: 9020: Evaluation (assessment); 8735: Intelligent transport system
• Subject Areas: Operations and Traffic Management; Planning and Forecasting; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01339120
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Files: ITRD, ARRB, ATRI
• Created Date: May 9 2011 9:51AM