Enhance Traffic Simulations with VISSIM & VISWALK from Udemy

What's inside

Syllabus

Become familiar with Traffic Simulation, understand what is traffic simulation. Download PTV VISSIM and becoming familiar with it.

Introduction

How to Download PTV VISSIM - Full Step by Step Instructions.

Setting Up the location. Gathering data.

What is a Link?

What are Counts? Why do we need them?

Understanding VISSIM's user interface

VISSIM's User Interface - Part 2

Evaluate your understanding of Section 1 through this Quiz.

By the end of this section, you will be able to draw real world network.

What all do we require to create a simulation model?

How to change direction of Traffic as well as units in VISSIM?

Getting Started with Links

Drawing a network for a real world project

Microscopic vs Macroscopic Simulation

Our Progress So Far

Creating a network for a real world intersection

How to Invert Direction of the Link?

Creating a network for another real interchange

End of Section Assignment

(Optional) Using Background Image in PTV VISSIM

Learn nuisances of traffic simulation in PTV VISSIM

How to Collect Counts Data?

How to Input Vehicle Counts in PTV VISSIM?

Identify the Types of Vehicles

Adding Vehicle Composition in PTV VISSIM

Do IT YourSelf

In the last section, we saw that some vehicle classes were not defined in PTV VISSIM by default. How to add these?

Just Checking In

Step 1 - Creating a 2D or 3D Model

Step 2 - Distribution

Step 3 - Creating Vehicle Classes

STEP 4 - Adding Vehicle Type

Final Step - Vehicle Composition

Do IT Yourself

Mapping Speed Decisions in VISSIM

Desired Speed Distributions

Reduced Speed Areas

Desired Speed Decisions

Check Your Concepts

**Research** Mapping Acceleration in PTV VISSIM

Pre-requisite Concepts

Reasoning Exercise

Specifying Acceleration in PTV VISSIM

Extra Thinking Exercise

**Research** How Do You Obtain Speed and Acceleration for the Actual Traffic?

Speed of the Traffic Stream

Find Speed of Vehicles from Given Trajectory Data

Acceleration/ Deceleration

Finding Acceleration/ Deceleration from Trajectory Data

Adding Vehicle Routes

Vehicle Routes

Conceptual Quiz

Relative Flow

Handling Conflicts

An Unsignalized Intersection with Conflicts

Creating Priority Rule

Priority Rule - Another Application

Conflict Areas

Conflict Areas - Another Application

Learn about Car Following Model

What is Car Following Model?

Practical Demonstration - Car Following Model

Car Following Model - Formula

Some More Lectures

How to simulate Signalized Intersections in VISSIM?

This is an advanced quiz and you may require to thoroughly practice each and every part of this course in order to solve it correctly. Solutions to some of the questions may not be directly given in the lectures but can be obtained while practicing simulation in the software. In case of any questions, feel free to post in Q and A.

How to gather data from simulation in a VISSIM model?

How to draw Roundabouts and do its simulation in VISSIM

How to simulate parking in VISSIM?

Capstone Project

How to evaluate LOS for Links and its Visual Representation?

Learn how to do pedestrian simulation using VISWALK

How to Download VISWALK, Creating Pedestrian Area & Routing Decision

Adding Pedestrian Input, Changing Pedestrian Composition & Visualizing in 3D

Creating Levels and Stairways

Creating Multiple Pedestrian Routes & Creating Obstacles

How to Evaluate Pedestrian Simulation using Area Measurements?

Real Life Applications

How to Create Elevated Intersections/ Interchanges?

How to Simulate Emergency Evacuation in a Building?

How to simulate Airport Immigration Counters?

Conclusion

This lecture is taken from Transportation Engineering 201 course where we are teaching Aimsun software for traffic simulation as well as PTV VISUM for travel demand modeling

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Enhance Traffic Simulations with VISSIM & VISWALK with these activities:

Review Traffic Engineering Fundamentals

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Solidify your understanding of fundamental traffic engineering concepts to better grasp the nuances of traffic simulation.

Browse courses on Traffic Engineering

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Review basic traffic flow parameters like speed, density, and volume.
Study intersection control methods and signal timing principles.
Familiarize yourself with highway capacity analysis techniques.

Read 'Traffic Flow Theory: A Monograph'

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Gain a deeper understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of traffic flow to improve your simulation accuracy.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'Traffic Flow Theory: A Monograph'.
Read the chapters on fundamental traffic flow relationships.
Take notes on key concepts and equations.

Simulate a Simple Intersection

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Practice building a basic VISSIM model of a simple intersection to familiarize yourself with the software interface and core functionalities.

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Create a new VISSIM project and set up the coordinate system.
Draw the road network representing the intersection.
Define vehicle types and input traffic volumes.
Run the simulation and observe the traffic behavior.

Four other activities

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Show all seven activities

Document Simulation Workflow

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Create a detailed document outlining the steps involved in building and calibrating a VISSIM or VISWALK model to reinforce your understanding and serve as a future reference.

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Choose a specific simulation scenario (e.g., signalized intersection, pedestrian crossing).
Document each step of the model building process, including screenshots.
Describe the calibration and validation techniques used.
Organize the document in a clear and concise manner.

Read 'Fundamentals of Traffic Simulation'

Show steps

Gain a deeper understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of traffic simulation to improve your simulation accuracy.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

Show steps

Obtain a copy of 'Fundamentals of Traffic Simulation'.
Read the chapters on fundamental traffic flow relationships.
Take notes on key concepts and equations.

Model a Real-World Intersection

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Apply your knowledge to simulate a real-world intersection using VISSIM, including data collection, model building, calibration, and analysis.

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Select a real-world intersection to model.
Collect data on traffic volumes, signal timing, and geometry.
Build the VISSIM model based on the collected data.
Calibrate and validate the model using real-world observations.
Analyze the simulation results and draw conclusions.

Optimize Signal Timing

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Use VISSIM to optimize signal timing at an intersection to reduce delays and improve traffic flow, then present your findings.

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Build a VISSIM model of a signalized intersection.
Experiment with different signal timing plans.
Evaluate the performance of each plan using MOEs.
Create a presentation summarizing your findings and recommendations.

Career center

Learners who complete Enhance Traffic Simulations with VISSIM & VISWALK will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Transportation Modeler

Transportation modelers create computer-based models of transportation systems to analyze and forecast traffic patterns, evaluate transportation projects, and develop transportation plans. In this role, you might work with large datasets, advanced software, and statistical methods to create accurate and reliable models. The knowledge and skills gained in this course directly prepares a transportation modeler for using VISSIM and VISWALK, industry-standard software for traffic and pedestrian simulation. The course's inclusion of real-world case studies and project work help build a strong foundation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Transportation Modeler

Traffic Engineer

A traffic engineer focuses on the safe and efficient movement of people and goods. This often involves designing and optimizing road networks, traffic signals, and pedestrian walkways. This course on traffic simulation can equip you with the skills to model and analyze different traffic scenarios, predict outcomes, and make data-driven decisions to improve traffic flow. VISSIM experience, in particular, allows a traffic engineer to evaluate design alternatives and optimize traffic signal timings before implementation, saving time and resources. The real-world case studies and project work provided by the course offers a practical foundation for a future traffic engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Traffic Engineer

Transportation Planner

Transportation planners develop strategies and plans for transportation systems, considering factors such as population growth, land use, and environmental impact. A course that covers traffic and pedestrian simulation can provide valuable tools for analyzing the impact of different transportation policies and infrastructure projects. This knowledge applies to forecasting future travel demand and evaluating the effectiveness of proposed solutions. The hands-on experience in the course with VISSIM and VISWALK allows a transportation planner to create detailed models of transportation networks and simulate the effects of various interventions. Further, the course's emphasis on calibration and validation helps to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the simulation results.

See salaries and explore the career path for Transportation Planner

Simulation Specialist

A simulation specialist uses computer models to analyze and predict the behavior of complex systems. The skills learned in traffic simulation apply directly to this role, where you might be responsible for developing and running simulations of transportation networks. You can help optimize traffic flow and improve safety. This course equips a simulation specialist with specific expertise in VISSIM and VISWALK, widely used software in the transportation industry. The course modules on calibration, validation, and real-world case studies help refine the skills and techniques that a simulation specialist requires.

See salaries and explore the career path for Simulation Specialist

Urban Planner

Urban planners are involved in the design and development of cities and towns, and transportation is a critical component of urban planning. This course on traffic and pedestrian simulation may be useful because it can provide insights into how transportation systems affect urban environments, and vice versa. An urban planner can use the modeling skills gained in this course to assess the impact of new developments on traffic flow, pedestrian safety, and overall urban mobility. With the course's focus on VISWALK further prepares an urban planner to create pedestrian-friendly environments.

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Civil Engineer

Civil engineers design, construct, and maintain the built environment, including transportation infrastructure. This course on traffic simulation can help expand your knowledge of how transportation systems operate and how to optimize their performance. A civil engineer can apply these skills to design roadways, intersections, and other transportation facilities that are safe, efficient, and sustainable. The VISSIM and VISWALK expertise gained through the course offerings may enable a civil engineer to consider the impacts of design choices on the flow of both vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

See salaries and explore the career path for Civil Engineer

Transportation Safety Engineer

Transportation safety engineers work to reduce accidents and improve safety on roads and highways. This course on traffic simulation can help you analyze traffic patterns, identify potential safety hazards, and evaluate the effectiveness of safety countermeasures. The knowledge of VISSIM and VISWALK gained in this course may enable a transportation safety engineer to simulate different accident scenarios and identify factors that contribute to crashes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Transportation Safety Engineer

Transit Planner

Transit planners focus on the design and operation of public transportation systems. In the transportation industry, a transit planner's goal is to improve the efficiency, reliability, and accessibility of public transportation. This course in traffic simulation may be valuable in analyzing the impact of transit operations on traffic flow, optimizing transit routes, and evaluating the effectiveness of transit investments. Since the course covers traffic simulation as well as pedestrian simulation, this may be useful to a transit planner.

See salaries and explore the career path for Transit Planner

Intelligent Transportation Systems Engineer

Intelligent Transportation Systems engineers develop and implement technologies to improve the safety and efficiency of transportation systems. This course on traffic simulation can provide you with a deeper understanding of how traffic flows, how to collect and analyze traffic data, and how to use technology to improve transportation outcomes. The information covered in this course may be helpful to an Intelligent Transportation Systems Engineer.

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Traffic Calming Specialist

Traffic calming specialists focus on designing and implementing measures to reduce traffic speed and volume in residential areas. In this role, you might work with communities to identify traffic problems, develop solutions, and evaluate their effectiveness. This course on traffic simulation can provide valuable tools for modeling the impact of different traffic calming measures and optimizing their design. With the background offered in VISWALK, a Traffic Calming Specialist will be able to simulate pedestrian impact.

See salaries and explore the career path for Traffic Calming Specialist

Data Analyst

Data analysts collect, clean, analyze, and interpret data to provide insights and support decision-making. In the transportation sector, data analysts may work with traffic data, accident data, and other types of data to identify trends, patterns, and areas for improvement. This course can help you understand how traffic simulation models generate data, and how to use that data to analyze traffic patterns and evaluate the effectiveness of transportation interventions. A data analyst who wishes to enter the transportation industry should take this course.

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Highway Engineer

Highway engineers design, construct, and maintain highways and other roadways. This course on traffic simulation can help you understand how traffic flows on highways, how to optimize highway design for safety and efficiency, and how to evaluate the impact of highway projects on the environment. A Highway Engineer must be aware of traffic simulation, and this course provides a solid introduction.

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Research Scientist

Research scientists conduct research to advance knowledge and develop new technologies. In the transportation field, research scientists may work on projects related to traffic flow, transportation safety, and sustainable transportation. This course on traffic simulation can help you understand the fundamentals of traffic modeling and simulation, and how to use these tools to conduct research. A research scientist may find this course a helpful introduction to the topic.

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Lecturer

Lecturers teach courses at colleges and universities. If you have expertise in transportation engineering or a related field, you might teach courses on traffic flow theory, transportation planning, or transportation modeling. This course may provide you with updated knowledge of traffic simulation software and techniques. A lecturer who can offer real-world case studies using VISSIM and VISWALK may be a good resource for students.

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Geospatial Analyst

Geospatial analysts use geographic information systems to analyze spatial data and solve problems. In transportation, they might use GIS to map traffic patterns, identify accident hotspots, and plan transportation routes. This course on traffic flow may provide you with a deeper understanding of how traffic and pedestrian movements can be represented and analyzed using geospatial data. The learnings from this course can help a Geospatial Analyst model and visualize traffic patterns using simulation software.

See salaries and explore the career path for Geospatial Analyst

Reading list

We've selected one books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Enhance Traffic Simulations with VISSIM & VISWALK.

Putting Knowledge to Work

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Provides a comprehensive overview of traffic flow theory, which is essential for understanding the underlying principles of traffic simulation. It delves into mathematical models and analytical techniques used to describe traffic behavior. While not directly focused on VISSIM or VISWALK, it provides the theoretical foundation needed to effectively calibrate and validate simulation models. This book valuable resource for those seeking a deeper understanding of traffic dynamics.

Putting Knowledge to Work

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Enhance Traffic Simulations with VISSIM & VISWALK

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