Evaluation of the Paramics microsimulation model : central city area and urban arterial case studies

Type of content
Theses / Dissertations
Publisher's DOI/URI
Thesis discipline
Civil Engineering
Degree name
Master of Engineering
Publisher
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Language
English
Date
2001
Authors
Wilke, Axel Peter Carl
Abstract

This report describes the development of two Paramics microsimulation traffic models: a small area model for the inner city bus station in Christchurch and its immediate environs, and an area wide model for the Christchurch suburb of Riccarton. Microsimulation traffic models simulate individual vehicles, and their interactions, for their trips through a road network. Transport planners can undertake detailed assessment of current and future transport infrastructure and traffic management. The models have been used to research the application of Paramics for innovative and nonĀ­ standard designs, and to evaluate bus priority measures in congested road corridors. It has been concluded that Paramics microsimulation is suited for the task, and that the models are a valid description of the road network and its performance. Bus lanes have been found to be most effective in decreasing both bus travel times, and bus travel time variability, on the congested Riccarton Road. The bus station has since become operational, and it is evident that the inner city model was able to predict all operational problems of the road network and the bus station itself. It is considered that both models form a suitable means of teaching postgraduate students about traffic modelling, and many further research possibilities have been identified. The Christchurch City Council has expressed interest in extending the inner city model for testing of further traffic management changes, and taking advantage of the visual nature of microsimulation for subsequent consultation.

Description
Citation
Keywords
Traffic engineering--New Zealand--Christchurch--Computer simulation., Traffic flow--New Zealand--Christchurch--Computer simulation, City traffic--New Zealand--Christchurch--Computer simulation
Ngā upoko tukutuku/Māori subject headings
ANZSRC fields of research
Rights
All Right Reserved