Calibration and Validation of Microsimulation Models for Estimating Control Delay at Signalized Intersections in Upper Egypt, Sohag city as case study

Abstract

Macroscopic traffic analysis software (SIDRA) and microscopic simulation package (VISSIM) are used in this paper to get the theoretical delay time. The paper presents a calibration process for the models developed in Sohag government using VISSIM software, since microscopic simulation models are becoming increasingly important tools in modeling transport systems. Traffic simulation models sometimes provide significant advantages over traditional planning or analytical models, such as SIDRA. Other common reasons for the popularity of simulation models include their attractive animations; their stochastic variability for the capture of real-world traffic conditions; and their capabilities to model complex roadway geometries, such as combined systems of urban streets and freeways. After calibration, validation work using field data from a signalized intersection in Sohag Governorate, Egypt, was conducted and proved the model validity to represent real systems. The simulation model was applied to evaluate the impact of lane width and traffic volume parameters on vehicular delays. The impact of each parameter was assessed and analyzed. It was found that there is a direct proportion between the control delay and the traffic volume parameter and inversely with the lane width parameter. Additionally, the problem of traffic jam at any intersection begins to occur when the traffic volume at 900 veh /h and above at different lane widths, especially at 9 ft resulting in higher delays.