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
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Corporate Authors:
500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC United States 20001 -
Authors:
- Talbot, Eric
- Chamberlin, Robert
- Holmen, Britt A
- Sentoff, Karen M
- 0000-0002-1108-6474
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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