Network
- Publication no: AP-R647-21
- ISBN: 978-1-922382-56-6
- Published: 8 March 2021
- PDF (free) Download
This report provides advice to project managers who may not have specific technical experience in the modelling field to assist in commissioning and managing services in Simulation (Mesoscopic and Microscopic) and Intersection modelling services.
It aims to:
- Provide comprehensive guidance that project managers can refer to for support in their project work that requires modelling.
- Promote further consistency between jurisdictions in describing elements and processes involved in modelling.
- Identify, explain, and where possible resolve differences in the nature of guidance offered by various sources.
- Support best practice in modelling, drawing on and complementing existing guidelines towards a unified and comprehensive framework.
The advice has been developed through close engagement with jurisdictions, including the Austroads Project Working Group and ATAP representatives, as well as through a review of literature and a survey of practice to ensure its relevance and currency.
This report was initially published in June 2020 under the title “Building Transport Modelling Management and Capability in Australasian Road and Transport Agencies: Simulation and Intersection Models”. The Austroads Project Working Group considered industry feedback received upon this initial publication and decided to revise the report as per the following key updates:
- Additional acknowledgements that the traffic and transport modelling industry is constantly evolving and that the Austroads report is reflective of the research and information at the time of development.
- Additional clarity and transparency on the purpose of the report, in providing high-level guidance to non-modellers while also directing them to other publications / guidelines or subject matter experts where relevant. This included changing the report title to “Management of Traffic Modelling Processes and Applications”.
- Clearer definition of the terms “traffic” and “transport” as it relates to the report content.
- Additional explanations accompanying the model categorisation to clearly articulate its intentions and target audience.
- Revision and update of specific technical information contained in the report, particularly in “Chapter 4 - Intersection Models” by clarifying that the term “intersection models” can contain multiple intersections along a small corridor / network.
- Summary
- List of Abbreviations and Definitions
- 1. Introduction
- 1.1 Background
- 1.2 Audience
- 1.3 Purpose and Objectives
- 1.4 Scope
- 1.4.1 Limitations of Scope
- 1.5 Study Methodology
- 1.6 Guidance Structure
- 1.6.1 Project Manager Considerations
- 1.7 Related Documents
- 2. Traffic and Transport Models
- 2.1 Overview
- 2.1.1 Current Situation
- 2.1.2 Common Problems
- 2.1.3 Tackling Common Problems
- 2.2 The Purpose of Models
- 2.3 Modelling Categories
- 2.3.1 Model techniques
- 2.3.2 Model software
- 2.4 Jurisdictional Applications and Guidelines
- 2.5 Selection of Modelling Techniques
- 2.6 The Future of Modelling
- 2.6.1 Large-Scale Metropolitan Simulation Models
- 2.6.2 ‘Live’ Models
- 2.6.3 Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS)
- 2.6.4 Connected and Autonomous Vehicles
- 2.6.5 Mobility as a Service
- 2.6.6 Active Transport
- 2.1 Overview
- 3. Simulation Models
- 3.1 Overview
- 3.2 Selecting the Model Extents
- 3.3 Composition of the Road and Transport Network
- 3.4 Simulation Modelling Process and Timeframes
- 3.4.1 Simulation Modelling Process
- 3.4.2 Timeframes
- 3.5 Key Features for Base Case Model Development
- 3.5.1 Peak Period Selection
- 3.5.2 Model Network
- 3.5.3 Public Transport
- 3.5.4 Intersection controls
- 3.5.5 Traffic Demand
- 3.5.6 Assignment Type
- 3.5.7 Vehicle Properties
- 3.5.8 Seeds and Stability
- 3.6 Base Case Model Calibration and Validation
- 3.6.1 Calibration and Validation Criteria
- 3.6.2 Independent Model Review
- 3.7 Future Year Assessment
- 3.7.1 Model Scenarios
- 3.7.2 Forecast Year Horizons
- 3.7.3 Future Year Network Assumptions
- 3.7.4 Future Year Demand Development
- 3.7.5 Sensitivity Testing
- 3.8 Model Outputs
- 3.8.1 Network Statistics
- 3.8.2 Operational Statistics
- 3.9 Hybrid Modelling
- 4. Intersection Models/Analysis
- 4.1 Overview
- 4.2 Types of Intersection Models
- 4.2.1 Manual Calculation
- 4.2.2 Single Intersection Models
- 4.2.3 Corridor Intersection Models
- 4.3 Selecting the Model Extents
- 4.4 Elements of an Intersection Model
- 4.5 Intersection Modelling Process and Timeframes
- 4.5.1 Project Scope
- 4.5.2 Data Analysis
- 4.5.3 Model Development
- 4.5.4 Calibration and Validation
- 4.5.5 Reporting
- 4.5.6 Timeframes
- 4.6 Key Features for Base Case Model Development
- 4.6.1 Geometry Development
- 4.6.2 Demand Development
- 4.6.3 Traffic Signal Timing
- 4.7 Base Case Model Calibration and Validation
- 4.7.1 Independent Model Review
- 4.8 Future Year Assessment
- 4.8.1 Model Scenarios
- 4.8.2 Forecast Year Horizons
- 4.8.3 Future Year Demand Development
- 4.8.4 Sensitivity Testing
- 4.9 Model Outputs
- 4.9.1 Performance Measures
- 4.9.2 Reporting
- 5. Integrated Modelling Approach
- 5.1 Definition: What is an Integrated Modelling Approach
- 5.2 Application: Appropriate Applications of Integrated Modelling
- 5.2.1 Approach
- 5.2.2 Interdependencies
- 5.3 Common Issues when Applying an Integrated Modelling Approach
- 6. The Modelling Process
- 6.1 Overview
- 6.2 Determine Model’s Purpose and Objectives
- 6.3 Scoping/Brief Preparation
- 6.4 Tender Evaluation/Procurement
- 6.5 Project Inception
- 6.6 Data Collection
- 6.7 Delivery of the Modelling Service
- 6.8 Peer Reviews and Audits
- 6.9 Model Outputs and Reporting
- 6.10 Model Completion
- 6.11 Project Management Considerations
- 7. Developing Model Briefs
- 7.1 Overview
- 7.2 Importance of Model Briefs
- 7.3 Content
- 8. Dealing with Transport Data
- 8.1 Overview
- 8.2 Importance of Data and its Challenges
- 8.3 Current Trends in the Collection of Data
- 8.4 Transport Data Specification
- 8.5 Transport Data Types and Analysis
- 8.5.1 Vehicle Volume Information
- 8.5.2 Vehicle Travel Time Information
- 8.5.3 Vehicle Speeds
- 8.5.4 Queue Length
- 8.5.5 Signal Data
- 8.5.6 Other Information Items and Data Sources
- 8.6 Responsibilities
- 9. Transport Modelling Reports
- 9.1 Importance of Modelling Reports
- 9.2 Types of Modelling Reports
- 9.3 Transport Modelling Report Content
- 9.3.1 Model Scoping Report
- 9.3.2 Base Model Calibration and Validation Report
- 9.3.3 Option Assessment Report
- References
- Appendix A Study Methodology
- A.1 Guidance Report Development Process
- A.1.1 Step 1: Industry Research and Review
- A.1.2 Step 2: Draft Guidance Outline
- A.1.3 Step 3: Draft Guidance Report
- A.1.4 Step 4: Finalisation of Guidance Report
- A.1.5 Step 5: Training Webinars
- A.2 Stakeholder Engagement
- A.1 Guidance Report Development Process
- Appendix B Literature Review
- B.1 Introduction
- B.1.1 Background
- B.1.2 The Role and Purpose of this Literature Review
- B.1.3 Review Documents
- B.2 Transport Model Definition
- B.2.1 Why Use Modelling?
- B.2.2 What are the Different Types of Modelling?
- B.3 Transport Model Specification
- B.3.1 Selecting the Appropriate Modelling Technique
- B.3.2 Defining the Model Extent
- B.4 Dealing with Transport Data
- B.5 Macroscopic/Strategic Transport Modelling
- B.5.1 Composition of Road Network Model
- B.5.2 Trip Demand
- B.5.3 Base Case Model Development
- B.5.4 Calibration and Validation
- B.6 Mesoscopic Modelling
- B.6.1 Base Case Model Development
- B.6.2 Calibration and Validation
- B.7 Micro-simulation Modelling
- B.7.1 Base Case Model Development
- B.7.2 Calibration and Validation
- B.8 Intersection Analysis
- B.8.1 Base Case Model Development
- B.8.2 Calibration and Validation
- B.9 Developing Options to be Tested
- B.10 Modelling Reports
- B.11 Summary
- B.1 Introduction
- Appendix C Industry Survey Summary Report
- C.1 Introduction
- C.1.1 Background
- C.1.2 Target Audience
- C.1.3 Purpose of this Study
- C.1.4 Study Progress
- C.2 Survey Methodology
- C.2.1 Survey Participants
- C.2.2 Survey Objectives
- C.2.3 Survey Structure
- C.3 Survey analysis
- C.3.1 Overview
- C.3.2 Survey response rate
- C.3.3 Summary of Survey Responses
- C.3.4 Summary of Group 1 responses
- C.3.5 Summary of Group 2 Responses
- C.4 Summary
- C.5 Survey Questions
- C.1 Introduction
- Appendix D Modelling Technique Selection Worksheet
- Appendix E Examples of Simulation Model Outputs