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Transportation & Traffic Systems

Road networks, public transit, air/rail traffic control, logistics routing

14 articles

Article

SIDRA Intersection: Roundabout and Signalized Intersection Capacity Analysis Using the HCM Gap-Acceptance Model

SIDRA Intersection is the industry-standard analytical tool for roundabout and signalized intersection capacity analysis, implementing the HCM gap-acceptance model to compute entry capacity, control delay, and level of service. Its calibration framework, multi-lane roundabout modeling, and SIDRA TRIP network extension make it the preferred choice for preliminary design and signal warrant studies.

By Jeff 157 views
Article

TransCAD: GIS-Integrated Travel Demand Modeling and Network Analysis for Regional Transportation Planning

TransCAD by Caliper Corporation is the only travel demand modeling platform built natively on a GIS engine, enabling seamless integration of highway networks, transit routes, TAZ polygons, and OD matrices within a single geodatabase. This article covers the four-step model workflow, GISDK scripting, transit optimal strategy assignment, and calibration best practices for MPO and state DOT applications.

By Jeff 201 views
Article

TSIS-CORSIM: FHWA's Microscopic Traffic Simulation Platform for Arterial and Freeway Analysis

TSIS-CORSIM is the Federal Highway Administration's flagship microscopic traffic simulation package, combining the NETSIM surface-street engine and FRESIM freeway engine into a unified corridor analysis environment. This article covers the dual-engine architecture, structured calibration workflow, key MOEs, and integration patterns for state DOT project workflows including NEPA studies and interchange justification reports.

By Jeff 180 views
Article

EMME/4: Four-Step Travel Demand Modeling and Multimodal Assignment for Regional Transportation Planning

EMME/4 by INRO is the industry benchmark for regional four-step and activity-based travel demand modeling, offering SOLA equilibrium assignment, optimal strategy transit assignment, and a full Python scripting API. This article covers the four-step model architecture, network coding best practices, GEH validation workflows, and integration patterns with activity-based models such as ActivitySim.

By Jeff 262 views
Article

Synchro Studio: Arterial Signal Timing Optimization and HCM-Based Capacity Analysis

Synchro Studio is the industry-standard platform for signalized intersection analysis and arterial signal coordination, applying HCM 6th Edition methodology to optimize cycle lengths, phase splits, and offsets. This article covers the SYNCHRO optimization engine, time-space diagram bandwidth analysis, SimTraffic microscopic validation workflow, and practical signal timing plan development from field data to controller export.

By Jeff 477 views
Article

VISSIM COM API: Automating Microscopic Traffic Simulation Workflows with Python

PTV VISSIM's Component Object Model (COM) API enables transportation engineers to automate complex simulation workflows—signal timing sweeps, Monte Carlo demand analysis, and detector-based calibration—directly from Python scripts. This article covers the API architecture, practical integration patterns, and performance best practices for scripted VISSIM automation.

By Jeff 522 views
Article

MATSim: Large-Scale Agent-Based Transport Demand Modeling for Metropolitan Networks

MATSim (Multi-Agent Transport Simulation) enables transportation planners to simulate the daily travel behavior of millions of individual agents across entire metropolitan regions. Its co-evolutionary optimization loop, multi-modal network support, and rich extension ecosystem make it uniquely suited for evaluating demand-side interventions such as congestion pricing, BRT corridors, and autonomous vehicle fleet integration.

By Jeff 458 views
Article

OpenTrack: Railway Network Capacity Analysis and Timetable Optimization

Explore OpenTrack's railway network capacity analysis and timetable optimization capabilities. Learn how transportation engineers use microscopic simulation to evaluate infrastructure utilization, assess schedule stability, and optimize train operations across complex rail networks.

By Jeff 346 views
Article

TransModeler: Advanced Transit Operations Simulation for Multi-Modal Networks

Explore TransModeler's specialized transit operations simulation capabilities for multi-modal transportation networks. Learn how transit agencies use advanced modeling features including signal priority, passenger assignment, and performance analytics to optimize service reliability and operational efficiency.

By Jeff 193 views
Article

PTV Vissim: Microscopic Traffic Flow Modeling for Complex Intersections

Discover how PTV Vissim's microscopic traffic simulation capabilities enable transportation engineers to model individual vehicle behavior, optimize signal timing, and validate intersection designs before field implementation. Learn about advanced signal control integration, multi-modal analysis, and 3D visualization features.

By Jeff 234 views
Article

SUMO: Advanced Traffic Simulation for Urban Mobility Planning

Explore SUMO (Simulation of Urban Mobility), the comprehensive open-source traffic simulation platform developed by the German Aerospace Center. This microscopic simulator enables detailed analysis of transportation systems, traffic flow optimization, and urban mobility planning with multi-modal support.

By Jeff 393 views