Oregon Microsimulation Roundtable March 2012 Traffic Signal Control and Simulation Karen Giese, Vice President Product Management, PTV America Andrew Bratlien, Associate, PTV America Miranda Wells, DKS Associates Oregon Microsimulation Roundtable March 2012

Agenda Introduction to VISSIM Simulation Simulation Signal Control What is VISSIM? Why Simulation? Simulation Signal Control Range of Options Standard Internal Control Hardware-in-the-Loop Software-in-the-Loop External Custom Programs Software-in-the-Loop Applications What is it? Why use it? What is available? Software-in-the-Loop Examples McCain BiTrans Econolite ASC/3 D4 Discussion and Demonstrations

PTV Vision VISUM TRAFFIX VISSIM Strategic Planning Platform TRAFFIX Intersection Capacity Analysis VISSIM Microscopic Traffic & Transit Simulator PTV Vision is a fully integrated suite of transportation planning/travel demand modeling and traffic simulation for all modes of transportation. PTV Vision incorporates macro, meso, and microscopic levels analyses dynamically over time.

What is VISSIM? Microscopic transit/traffic simulation consisting of Traffic flow model which moves and tracks each vehicle Signal control model User-friendly graphical interface (GUI) Graphical network editor for data input of road network, transit lines, routes, volumes, detectors, signals, etc. Definition of user-specific vehicle types (passenger cars, HOV-cars, trucks, buses, articulated buses, trams, LRT-vehicles, bicyclists, pedestrians etc.) Definition of user specific driving behavior to override default values Decision support system On-line visualization of traffic operation in 2D and 3D Measures of effectiveness like delay, queue length, travel times, mean speed, emissions etc

What is VISSIM? Microscopic transit/traffic simulation consisting of Traffic flow model which moves and tracks each vehicle Signal control model User-friendly graphical interface (GUI) Graphical network editor for data input of road network, transit lines, routes, volumes, detectors, signals, etc. Definition of user-specific vehicle types (passenger cars, HOV-cars, trucks, buses, articulated buses, trams, LRT-vehicles, bicyclists, pedestrians etc.) Definition of user specific driving behavior to override default values Decision support system On-line visualization of traffic operation in 2D and 3D Measures of effectiveness like delay, queue length, travel times, mean speed, emissions etc

Core Building Blocks of VISSIM Four core building blocks in VISSIM Network representing the physical infrastructure for roadway and tracks Traffic representing the vehicular movements on the network Control representing how traffic behaves in case of conflicting movements Output generating results from simulation runs CONTROL Unsignalized Signals TRAFFIC Vehicles Behavior Routing Network Geometry Transit Output Animation MOE´s

Why Simulation? Accurately Measure Impacts of Dynamic Conditions Transit Signal Priority Preemption Ramp Metering ITS – Variable Message Signs, Traveler Information Measure Design Limitations Spillback Effects Inadequate Storage Lengths for Peak Period

Why Simulation? Understand System Integration/Transitions Freeway ↔ Arterial Transit↔ Private Transport Advanced Problems Curbside Modeling Dynamic Traffic Assignment Lane Management Strategy (Toll Pricing, HOV/HOT Lanes)

Simulation Signal Control Provides traffic control for vehicles Emulate or directly implement specific controller functionality ???

VISSIM Signal Control Options Rules of the Road General Applications Fixed Time Control Actuated Control Rules of the Road Signal Controllers Ring Barrier Controller (RBC) VAP Fixed Time Controller (VISSIG) Hardware-in-the-Loop Software-in-the-Loop External Signal API Rules of the Road Special Applications Transit Signal Priority Railroad Preemption Adaptive Signal Control

VISSIM Standard Control: Ring-Barrier Controller (RBC) Embedded RBC GUI facilitates entering of signal timing data NTCIP 1202 Compliant Extensive Functionality Multiple Rings & Barriers Free-running and 8 Timing Patterns Overlaps / Negative Overlaps Railroad Preemption Transit Signal Priority Advanced Timing and Detection Parameters

VISSIM Standard Control: Ring-Barrier Controller (RBC) Transit Priority Settings Alternating Sequence Transit Phases Vehicle Omits Pedestrian Omits Priority Modes (Early / Extend) Priority Min Green Recovery Min Green Priority Progression Check-in / Check- out

VISSIM Standard Control: Ring-Barrier Controller (RBC) Applications Standard signal control operations ??? When you can use it

Moving Beyond the Standard Control Public agencies have preferred signal controller vendors with specific hardware / software solutions Actual controller logic can model true signal controller behavior Required for controller-specific behavior Capture true operations of advanced / special features Options in VISSIM VAP Custom Program External Signal Control API Hardware-in-the-Loop Software-in-the-Loop

External Custom Programs VAP VISSIM Internal Programming Language Write Custom Signal Control Logic ??? External Signal Control API Develop Custom Program Compiled Program Ties to VISSIM Through API Application Emulate functions not available in RBC More closely represent specialized functions (e.g., transit signal priority)

Hardware-in-the-Loop Controller Logic Directly Integrated into VISSIM Connected through Controller Interface Device No “Emulation” Requires Hardware INSERT PHOTO OF CONTROLLER / CID

Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) What is SIL? Replaces hardware-in-the-loop Same logic as firmware Virtual time clock and calendar Timing parameter database exchange with field controllers Commercial signal control firmware interfaces directly with VISSIM’s Signal Controller API

Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) Why Use it? Integrate Controller Logic Directly into VISSIM Remove “Emulation” Errors / Bias Capture True Operations of Advanced / Special Features Accurately Model Controller-Specific Logic Remove Hardware Requirement Faster than Real Time Synchronization What’s Available? BiTrans (McCain) D4 Controller (Fourth Dimension) ASC/3 (Econolite) SCATS?

Fourth Dimension D4 Controller Key Features

Econolite ASC/3 Controller Key Features 16 Phases/16 Overlaps 16 Ped Phases/16 Ped Overlaps 4 Rings 64 Detectors Phase Compatibility Matrix Logic Processors – Emulate External Logic/PLC Coordination/Preempt NTCIP 1202 Compliance

ASC/3 SIL Controller – Database Editor icons™ .db is transferred between VISSIM and ASC/3 controller (hardware) via NTCIP Database Manager

ASC/3 SIL Controller – Front Panel Display ASC/3 Menu Structure Online Controller Status Detector Status Real-time Database Update

ASC/3 SIL Controller – Logic Processing

ASC/3 SIL Controller – I/O Mapping

Questions and Discussion www.ptvamerica.com