Welcome to the SMARTEST User Requirements Questionnaire

Micro-simulation models are becoming an increasingly important tool for traffic control research and development. These models, where the movements of individual vehicles travelling round road networks are modelled using a computer, permit the traffic professional to have a bird's eye view of the traffic and an instant feel for current problems and possible solutions. Controversial or new techniques can be tested without any disruptions to traffic in a real network.

There are several important areas of application for micro-simulation models. Evaluation of transport schemes involving traveller information systems and responsive control systems requires that traffic is modelled in great detail and that their interactions with the systems are captured. As tools for short term forecasting the micro-simulation models can provide support for on-line traffic management. Assignment models and driving simulators can also profit from the detailed output of micro-simulation models.

However, today's micro-simulation models have limitations. The purpose of the SMARTEST project is to identify the most important gaps in the models, to solve the modelling problems and to calibrate the new models using field data from several European cities. The models concerned are AIMSUN2, NEMIS, SPEACS, DRACULA and SITRA-B+.

In order to identify the gaps and user needs, we are targetting this questionnaire at micro-simulation model users throughout the world. By answering this questionnaire you can directly affect the development of a new generation of micro-simulation models, a development that you most certainly will benefit from in your future work!

If you would like further information about the project or need any help with the questionnaire then please contact the project co-ordinator: Ken Fox (E-Mail: K.A.Fox@leeds.ac.uk).

The Questions

As the sample of users is limited, it is of utmost importance for us in the SMARTEST research team to get your experiences and views on micro-simulation models. Anyone who replies to this questionnaire can receive a free copy of each of the SMARTEST public reports when they become available. If you would like to take advantage of this option then please tick here (Offer limited to one report per organisation). The deadline for replying is 18th April 1997.

Instructions

Supply your answers by typing into the boxes, clicking on the appropriate boxes and selecting options from the pull down lists. When you have finished all you need to do is click on the "Send Questionnaire" button and your answers will be E-mailed to the SMARTEST research team. If you have any problems with sending the questionnaire using your WWW Browser then just send an E-Mail to Ken Fox (K.A.Fox@leeds.ac.uk) to ask for a plain text version of the form to fill in and return via E-Mail. Alternatively you might just want to print off the filled in form and then fax or post it to:

Ken Fox
Institute for Transport Studies
University of Leeds
Leeds
LS2 9JT
United Kingdom

Telephone: +44 - 113 - 233 - 5351
Fax: +44 - 113 - 233 - 5334

1. Name:
E-mail address:
2. Organisation:
Organisation Type:
If Other please specify:
3. Address:

4. What is your main area(s) of application for traffic simulation in general?
On-line Traffic Management Design and testing of control strategies
Evaluation of large scale schemes Evaluation of product performance
Other, please specify:

Any comments

5. Which models do you use for these applications?
Model nameType (macro, micro, assignment, design etc.)

6. Your use of micro-simulation models

a) To what extent have you, or your organisation, used micro simulation?
Many applications Some applications
Testing only No experience

b) Please specify networks modelled
Network locationNo. of linksNo. of intersectionsSize, e.g. 2km x 3km

c) Tick if you have developed your own micro-simulation models

Any comments

7. What is your opinion of micro-simulation as a tool for analysing traffic?
A necessary tool A useful tool
An unnecessary tool An unreliable method
Not sure

Any comments

8. a) What are the advantages of the specific micro-simulation models you have encountered?
ModelAdvantage

8. b) What are the disadvantages or shortcomings of the specific micro-simulation models you have encountered?
ModelDisadvantage

9. If you would start or continue using micro-simulation models in your work, what would be your main area(s) of application?
On-line Traffic Management Design and testing of control strategies
Evaluation of large scale schemes Evaluation of product performance
Other, please specify:

Any comments

10. On what scale(s) would you be interested in applying micro-simulation models?
ScaleSize of network (number of links, intersections or physical size)
Regional
City / Town
Corridor
Intersection(s)
Single Road
Other

Any comments

11. What planning horizon would you have in mind for your micro-simulation applications?
On-line Present situation
1-5 years 5-10 years
> 10 years

Any comments

12. Micro-simulation models usually contain a very detailed description of the network and the vehicle fleet, eg. road geometry, intersection design and vehicle types. Which additional traffic objects or phenomena do you think are important to include in a micro-simulation model? (Note that Question 14 covers the transport telematics / ITS functions.)
Object / Phenomena Crucial Important Useful Not important Not sure
Weather conditions
Searching for parking
Parked vehicles
Elaborate engine model
Commercial vehicles
Bicycles / Motorbikes
Pedestrians
Incidents
Public Transport Stops
Traffic calming measures
Roundabouts

13. Traffic simulation is often used to evaluate how well a certain scheme, strategy or product achieves a set of objectives. Micro-simulation models may produce very detailed and time varying output that can serve as indicators of how well the objectives are achieved. Which objectives and corresponding indicators are important to you in your work? Please tick the appropriate level of importance?

Objective: Improve Efficiency
Indicator Crucial Important Useful Not important Not sure
Modal split
Travel time
Travel time variability
Speed
Congestion
Public transport regularity
Queue lengths
Objective: Improve Safety
Indicator Crucial Important Useful Not important Not sure
Headway
Overtakings
Time to collision
No. of accidents
Accident speed / severity
Pedestrian interactions
Objective: Improve Environment
Indicator Crucial Important Useful Not important Not sure
Exhaust emissions
Roadside pollution
Noise level
Objective: Improve Comfort
Indicator Crucial Important Useful Not important Not sure
Physical comfort
Stress
Objective: Improve Technical Performance
Indicator Crucial Important Useful Not important Not sure
Fuel consumption
Vehicle operating costs

Any comments

14. Which transport telematics or other technological functions are you interested in simulating?
Function Crucial Important Useful Not important Not sure
Co-ordinated traffic signals
Adaptive traffic signals
Priority to public transport
Ramp metering
Motorway flow control
Incident management
Zone access control
Variable message signs
Regional traffic information
Static route guidance
Dynamic route guidance
Parking guidance
Public transport information
Automatic debiting / toll plazas
Congestion pricing
Adaptive cruise control
Automated highway system
Autonomous vehicles
Support for pedestrians and cyclists
Probe vehicles
Vehicle detectors

Any comments

15. How important is a graphical user-friendly interface for input and editing?
Crucial Important
Useful ASCII file input sufficient

Any comments

16. How important is a graphical and animated presentation of results?
Crucial Important
Useful ASCII tables sufficient

Any comments

17. Approximately what time span would you like to simulate?
1 minute 1 - 5 minutes
5 - 30 minutes 30 minutes - 2 hours
2 - 12 hours Several days

Any comments

18. What is the desired execution speed?
> 5 times faster than real time 1 - 5 times faster than real time
Real time Slower than real time

Any comments

19. How important are the following model properties?
Property Crucial Important Useful Not important Not sure
1. Should already have been validated with real world data
2. Sensible default parameters for key parameters are provided
3. Key parameters can be user-defined
4. Short lead time before use
5. Limited need for data acquisition
6. High cost effectiveness
7. Easy integration with other models
8. Easy integration with databases and GIS
9. Guidelines for use defined
10. Standard methods for use defined
11. Approved by local authority / national transportation body
12. Will run on non-specialist hardware, eg a PC rather than a Unix box
13.
14.
15.

Of the above properties, please rank the three most important (in decreasing order of importance). Number , and .

Please try to specify your needs for the three most important properties! (e.g. which parameters should be user defined, what data is difficult to acquire etc.)

20. Do you have any other requirements or comments on micro-simulation models?

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