Iterative calibration method for microscopic road traffic simulators

Abstract

Recently, computer simulation aided work has become a standard routine in all engineering fields. Accordingly, simulation plays a fundamental role even in road traffic engineering. A reliable simulator is able to provide effective analysis of a given traffic network if the applied simulation scenarios properly converge to the real-word situation. This requirement can be achieved based on the mixed use of prior real-world traffic measurements and proper simulation settings. The latter one, however, is not straightforward. Accordingly, the paper investigates a potential calibration technique to create realistic simulations. Basically, a tuning method with genetic algorithm is proposed to reproduce true-to-life traffic based on floating car speed data.