EVALUATION OF THE EFFECT OF VMS IN REDUCING CONGESTION USING AIMSUN TOOL: A CASE STUDY OF ARTERIAL ROAD NETWORKS WITHIN THE CBD OF KADUNA

Abstract

Microscopic simulation of traffic on the road network within the CBD of Kaduna in Nigeria (10°31'23''N and 7°26'25''E) was carried out using AIMSUN tool to investigate the extent to which variable message signs (VMS) displaying rerouting can improve the perennial congestion without modifying the existing roadways of the city as obtained from the Google Map. Do Nothing Model representing the actual traffic condition on the arterial road networks within the CBD of the city and a VMS Rerouting model representing the behaviour of traffic when VMS displayed rerouting due to congestion were developed. Traffic state was used to develop the 2 models, using the input and turning flow vehicle demand information. Network and section statistics showing delay time and flow were generated from the models upon completion of animated and batch simulations. The results showed improvement in the network flow of the Do Nothing Model from 7732 veh/hr to 10699 veh/ hr due to rerouting message conveyed by the VMS representing 38.37% improvement of the capacity of the network, while the total travel time of the network increase from 208.648 secs/ km for the Do Nothing Model to 230.001 secs/km for the VMS Model representing 10.23%.