Paper presented at the UTSG Conference 1999

York, UK, January 1999

Simulating interactions between buses and other traffic

by Paulo Silva

Abstract

The representation of bus operations in traffic simulation models is currently not satisfactory. Much of the work done so far was intended to assess the benefits of segregating bus flows from the remaining traffic. Studies that consider buses in mixed traffic usually regard them merely as large vehicles that stop from time to time along fixed routes to serve passengers. In the real world buses and other vehicles interact even in the majority of the segregated environments and these interactions are far more complicated than the way described by current models.

These phenomena are being studied as part of a PhD research project aimed at the development of a more realistic detailing of such interactions in the microscopic simulation model SIGSIM. Differently from most studies of this kind, this project does not look only at the impacts of bus operations on general traffic: the resulting model will also allow the assessment of the interference of traffic flows in the operation of bus services. This paper identifies the gaps between the features of current models and the phenomena that actually take place in traffic networks. It then presents the theoretical basis for the enhancements expected to make SIGSIM a more powerful tool in representing traffic behaviour.

The paper shows how these enhancements have been incorporated into SIGSIM and discusses the method of validating the work. The manoeuvres performed by vehicles getting around stopped buses are the first of the new features already implemented in the model. A number of bus stop layouts have been identified and the behaviour of vehicles in their surroundings modelled. The comparison between the simulation outputs and some real situations is questioned as the adequate method of testing the model.
 

If you wish to receive a copy of this paper or leave a comment, please fill in the form below, including your email address if a reply is required. Select the Submit button to send the form.

Subject:

Request:

Comments:

Your name:

Email address:

Institution:

Address:

Submit the form:

(Back to the Accessibility and Public Transport publications page)

Return to the Centre for Transport Studies site or to UCL home page.
 Please note that any views expressed here do not necessarily reflect UCL College policy. No claim is made, explicit or implied, about the suitability of any data presented here for any purpose. All rights are reserved by individual members of the Dept., the Dept. itself, or UCL as appropriate, unless otherwise indicated. Any links to pages provided by individuals in the department are done so on the understanding that they agree to abide by the College and draft UCL Guidelines.

Last updated Sept '99
Please send any comments or queries about this web site to the webmaster