Sensitivity analysis of key input parameters in conditional cell transmission model for oversaturated arterials

Abstract

A novel conditional cell transmission model (CCTM) is a potential simulation tool because it accommodates all traffic conditions from light condition to oversaturated condition. To test the performance of the CCTM, a series of experiments for sensitivity analysis were designed and performed for a multilane, two-way, three-signal sample network. Experiment 1 shows that the model is performed in a logical and expected manner with variations in traffic demand with time and direction. Experiment 2 shows when the possibility of the occurrence of a useful gap increases to 60% and 100%, the delays in left turns decrease by 5% and 15%, respectively. In Experiment 3, comparing the possibility of a conditional cell of 0 with 100%, delay of left turn and delay of the entire network were underestimated by 58% and 11%, respectively. Hence, sensitivity analysis demonstrates that by reflecting local drivers’ behaviors properly, the CCTM provides an accurate representation of traffic flow in simulating oversaturated traffic conditions.

Keywords

oversaturation / conditional cell transmission model / sensitivity analysis / delay / possibility

References

[1] TangT-q, LiC-y, HuangH-j, ShangH-yan. Macro modeling and analysis of traffic flow with road width [J]. Journal of Central South University of Technology, 2011, 18(5): 1757-1764

[2] LiuT-l, HuangH-j, TianL-jun. Microscopic simulation of multi-lane traffic under dynamic tolling and information feedback [J]. Journal of Central South University of Technology, 2009, 16(5): 865-870

[3] GurupackiamS, JonesL S, FonsecaJ D. Investigating initialization times, repetitions, and MOE variability in simulation of under saturated and saturated traffic signals [C]. 6th International Symposium on Highway Capacity and Quality of Service, 2010460-469

[4] ClarkJ, DaigleG. The importance of simulation techniques in ITS research and analysis [C]. 1997 Winter Simulation Conference, 1997AtlantaWSC1236-1243

[5] National research council.. Highway capacity manual [M]. Transportation Research Board, 20101-6

[6] National Cooperative Highway Research Program, NCHRP 3–85: Guidance on the Use of Simulation and Other Models in the Highway Capacity Analyses [M]. Transportation Research Board, 2011: 1–5.

[7] LoH K. A novel traffic signal control formulation [J]. Transportation Research Part A, 1999, 33(6): 433-448

[8] LoH K. A cell based traffic control formulation: Strategies and benefits of dynamictiming plans [J]. Transportation Science, 2001, 35(2): 148-164

[9] LoH K, ChangE, ChanY C. Dynamic network traffic control [J]. Transportation Research Part A, 2001, 35(8): 721-744

[10] LoH K, ChowA H F. Control strategies for oversaturated traffic [J]. Journal of Transportation Engineering, 2004, 130(4): 462-477

[11] LiZ, ChangG L. Modeling arterials signal optimization with enhanced cell transportation formulations [C]. Transportation Research Board 89th Annual Meeting, 2010Washington D CNational Research Council1-19

[12] WangPing, JonesL S, YangQ, GurupackiamS. Cell transmission model based traffic signal timing in oversaturated conditions [J]. Journal of Central South University, 2013, 20(4): 1129-1136

[13] WangPingConditional cell transmission model for two way arterials in oversaturated conditions [D], 2010USAUniversity of Alabama1-4

[14] WangPing, JonesL S, YangQun. A novel conditional cell transmission model for oversaturated arterials [J]. Journal of Central South University, 2012, 19(5): 1466-1474

[15] U.S. Department of Transportation. Manual on uniform traffic control devices [M]. Federal Highway Administration, 20091-134

[16] MayD ATraffic flow fundamentals [M], 1990Upper Saddle River, New JerseyPrentice Hall160-190

[17] AlecsandruC, IshakS. Accounting for random driving behavior and nonlinearity of backward wave speeds in the cell transmission model [C]. Transportation Research Board 89th Annual Meeting, 2007Washington D CNational Research Council1-17

[18] U.S. Department of Transportation. Traffic analysis toolbox volume III: Guidelines for applying traffic microsimulation modeling software [M]. Federal Highway Administration, 2004121-122