Traffic Management for Planned Special Events Using Traffic Microsimulation Modeling and Tabletop Exercises

This article describes the use of microsimulation for traffic management of special events, including evacuations and traffic incidents. Specifically, the research employed tabletop exercises using the microsimulation software TransModeler to present traffic management alternatives for special events to stakeholders. The exercises involved analysis of evacuation or egress conditions with current traffic management plans, review of possible high-impact incident scenarios, and testing and formulation of improvements to current traffic management procedures, including incident response. Two case studies were developed for the tabletop exercises; one the evacuation of a minor-league baseball stadium and another concerned with vehicular egress plans for a large urban indoor arena. Both venues were in New York State's Capital District region. The results demonstrated that the real-time use of microsimulation during a tabletop exercise elicited many new traffic management strategies. Also, a cost-benefit analysis of using microsimulation models in conjunction with tabletop exercises for these types of events was explored. The project was made possible by funding from the New York State Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration.

• Record URL:
  http://www.informaworld.com/10.1080/19439962.2010.487635
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/19439962
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission from Taylor & Francis.
• Authors:
  • Wojtowicz, Jeffrey
  • Wallace, William A
• Publication Date: 2010

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; Maps; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 102-121
• Serial:
  • Journal of Transportation Safety & Security
  • Volume: 2
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: Taylor & Francis
  • ISSN: 1943-9962
  • EISSN: 1943-9970
  • Serial URL: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/utss20#.U2qTJPldWCm

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Case studies; Evacuation; Highway traffic control; Incident management; Special events; Traffic incidents; Traffic models; Traffic simulation
• Geographic Terms: New York Metropolitan Area
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Planning and Forecasting; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01162932
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 19 2010 11:34AM