1. 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

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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)

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

10. 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

11. VISSIM Standard Control: Ring-Barrier Controller (RBC)
Embedded RBC GUI facilitates entering of signal timing data
NTCIP 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

12. 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

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

14. 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

15. 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)

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

17. 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

18. 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?

19. Fourth Dimension D4 Controller
Key Features

20. 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

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

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

23. ASC/3 SIL Controller – Logic Processing

24. ASC/3 SIL Controller – I/O Mapping

25. Questions and Discussion