Abstract

Paramics is a suite of high performance software tools used to model the movement and behavior of individual vehicles on urban and highway road networks. The Paramics Project Suite consists of Modeller, Processor, Analyzer, and Programmer. Paramics Programmer is a framework that allows the user to customize many features of underlying simulation model. Access is provided through a Functional Interface or Application Programming Interface (API). The capability to access and modify the underlying simulation model through API is essential for research. Such an API should have a dual role, first to allow researchers to override the simulators default models, such as car  following, lane changing, route choices for instance, and second, to  allow them to interface complementary modules to the simulator.  Complementary modules could be any ITS application, such as signal optimization, adaptive ramp metering, incident management and so on. In this way, new research ideas could be easily tested using simulator before the implementation in the real world.  Three developed APIs are documented in this report; namely, full-actuated signal control, actuated signal coordination, and actuated ramp metering control. Section 2, 3, and 4 will have detailed descriptions for each of them. In each section, the control logic, data structure and control interface, data input requirements, and some implementation considerations are included.  

Abstract

Travel time is the reciprocal of speed and is a useful measure of road congestion and traffic system performance. Travel time is also a basic traffic variable that is used in many Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) strategies such as route guidance, incident detection, and traveler information systems. Previously, speeds were mainly acquired from double inductive loops configured as speed traps, since single loop speed estimates based on assumptions of a constant vehicle length were inaccurate. However, more accurate measurements of speed can now be accomplished with single loops by utilizing inductive waveforms of vehicles that are outputed from newer detector cards. An algorithm using signal processing and statistical methods was developed to extract speeds from inductive waveforms. The results show that the proposed algorithm performs better than conventional single loop estimation methods. The results also show that the algorithm is robust under different traffic conditions and is transferrable across surveillance sites without the need for recalibration. The use of the extensive single loop surveillance infrastructure is a cost-effective way of obtaining more accurate network-wide travel time information. Key Words: speed estimation, inductive waveform, vehicle signature, single loop detector

Abstract

This report provides an overview of the federally-sponsored Anaheim Advanced Traffic Control System Field Operations Test, and of the technical issues associated with the evaluation of SCOOT performance during this test. The primary FOT objective was the implementation and performance evaluation of adaptive traffic signal control technologies including an existing second generation approach, SCOOT, and a 1.5 generation control (1.5GC) approach under development. Also selected for implementation was a video traffic detection system (VTDS). The SCOOT evaluation was defined relative to existing, first generation UTCS-based control but using standard field detectorization rather than that normally associated with SCOOT. Furthermore, SCOOT was installed to operate in parallel to UTCS. The 1.5GC system was planned to be efficiently utilized to update baseline timing plans. The VTDS was planned for use as a low cost system detector for deployment in critical areas.

Both SCOOT and the VTDS were implemented with some degree of success, with technical and institutional issues limiting expected performance. Technical issues that limited SCOOT performance included existing communication and controller systems of lower quality than anticipated. Corresponding institutional factors included inconsistent project management due to staff changes and delays due to contractual issues. Both SCOOT and a modified version of the VTDS are in current use in selected areas, with plans for system expansion.

This evaluation report summarizes an introduction to the project, the evaluation objectives for Tasks A and B, and Task A of the three part evaluation project. Separate reports summarize Tasks B and C, assessment of institutional issues and the advanced Video Detection Systems, respectively