A discrete simulation model for traffic including bicycles on urban networks, applied to intersection of two one-way streets

Abstract

The contemporary problem of 'greening' urban transport, in its complexity, calls for multi-faceted solutions, including a range of inputs, from theoretical modelling to resource planning and monitoring. This paper offers a contribution to scenario assessment, through a computational model of heterogeneous urban traffic flows. Built on a cellular-automaton framework, it considers, in particular, the inclusion of pedal-bicycles in the specific case of a city with an incomplete dedicated bicycle lane network, where close road sharing takes place between motorised and non-motorised vehicles. Generic spatial and behaviour components of the model have been defined and a simulation framework built based on those. Application of this framework is demonstrated for the case of an intersection of two one-way streets. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.