Traffic Engineering And Management 16. Microscopic Traffic Simulation
Chapter 16
Microscopic Traffic Simulation
16.1 Overview
Macroscopic modeling looks at traffic flow from a global perspective, whereas microscopic mod-
eling, as the term suggests, gives attention to the details of traffic flow and the interactions
taking place within it. This chapter gives an overview of microscopic approach to modeling
traffic and then elaborates on the various concepts associated with it.
A microscopic model of traffic flow attempts to analyze the flow of traffic by modeling
driver-driver and driver-road interactions within a traffic stream which respectively analyzes
the interaction between a driver and another driver on road and of a single driver on the
different features of a road. Many studies and researches were carried out on driver’s behavior
in different situations like a case when he meets a static obstacle or when he meets a dynamic
obstacle. Several studies are made on modeling driver behavior in another following car and
such studies are often referred to as car following theories of vehicular traffic.
16.2 Simulation Models
Simulation modeling is an increasingly popular and effective tool for analyzing a wide variety of
dynamical problems which are difficult to be studied by other means. Usually, these processes
are characterized by the interaction of many system components or entities.
16.2.1 Applications of simulation
Traffic simulations models can meet a wide range of requirements:
1. Evaluation of alternative treatments
2. Testing new designs
Dr. Tom V. Mathew, IIT Bombay 1 April 2, 2012
