Traffic Analysis Toolbox Volume IV: Guidelines for Applying CORSIM Microsimulation Modeling Software
Contact Information: Doug Laird at Douglas.Laird@dot.gov
Noblis
600 Maryland Avenue, SW, Suite 755
Washington, DC 20024
Research, Development, and Technology
Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center
6300 Georgetown Pike
McLean, VA 22101-2296
U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
U.S. Department of Transportation
400 Seventh Street S.W., Room 4410 Washington , DC 20590
https://www.fhwa.dot.gov
Publication No.: FHWA-HOP-07-079
Publication Date: January 2007
Table of Contents
Technical Report Documentation Page
SI* (Modern Metric) Conversion Factors
1.1 Study Purpose and Objectives
1.2.1 Freeway Projects
1.2.2 Arterial Projects
1.2.3 Combined Network Project (Corridor)
1.2.4 Temporal Scope
1.2.5 Design Year
1.3 Analytical Approach Selection
1.4 Analytical Tool Selection (Software)
1.4.1 CORSIM Capabilities and Limitations
1.4.2 TSIS Input/Output/Interface Support Tools
1.4.3 Third Party Products
1.4.4 User Training/Support
1.4.5 Ongoing Software Enhancements
1.6 Management of a CORSIM Study
1.7 Example Problem: Study Scope and Purpose
2.0 Data Collection and Preparation
2.3.1 Sign Data
2.3.2 Pre-Timed Signal Control Data
2.3.3 Actuated Signal Control Data
2.3.4 Pedestrian Demand Estimates
2.3.5 Ramp Meter Control Data
2.4.1 Capacity and Saturation Flow Data
2.4.2 Point Speed Data
2.4.3 Travel Time Data
2.4.4 Delay and Queue Data
2.7 Reconciliation of Traffic Counts
2.8 Example Problem: Data Collection and Preparation
3.1 Create a New TSIS Project and TRAFED Network
3.1.1 Set the Simulation Run Control Data
3.1.2 Set the TRAFED Preferences
3.2 Link-Node Diagram: Model Blueprint
3.2.1 Nodes
3.2.2 Links
3.2.3 Surface Street Link Data
3.2.4 Corridors
3.2.5 Review
3.3.1 Entry Volume
3.3.2 Freeway Demand
3.3.3 Surface Street Demand
3.3.4 Vehicle Mix
3.4.1 Freeway Ramp Meter Control
3.4.2 Arterial Control
3.4.3 Review
3.5 Traffic Operations and Management Data for Links
3.5.1 Modeling Traffic Incidents or Events
3.5.2 Incident Detection
3.5.3 Bus Operations
3.5.4 Pedestrian Interaction
3.6 Example Problem: Base Model Development
4.5 Example Problem: Error Checking
5.3 Establish Calibration MOEs and Targets
5.3.1 Selection of Calibration MOEs
5.3.2 Establishing Calibration Targets
5.4.1 Multiple CORSIM Runs
5.4.2 Simulation Time Frame
5.4.3 Exclusion of Initialization Period
5.4.4 Link Aggregations into Sections
5.5 Calibrate Capacity at Key Bottlenecks
5.5.1 Freeway Capacity Calibration
5.5.2 Surface Street Capacity Calibration
5.6 Calibrating Traffic Volumes
5.6.1 Freeway Traffic Volume Calibration
5.6.2 Surface Street Traffic Volume Calibration
5.7 Calibrating System Performance
5.7.1 Freeway System Performance Calibration
5.7.2 Calibrating Arterial System Performance
5.8 Key Decision Point: Check Overall Calibration Targets
5.9 Example Problem: Model Calibration
6.1.1 Demand Forecasting
6.1.2 Constraining Demand to Capacity
6.1.3 Allowance for Uncertainty in Demand Forecasts
6.2 Generation of Project Alternatives
6.3 Selection of Measures of Effectiveness (MOEs)
6.3.1 Candidate MOEs for Overall System Performance
6.3.2 Candidate MOEs for Localized Problems
6.3.3 Choice of Average or Worst Case MOEs
6.4.1 Multiple CORSIM Runs
6.4.2 Exclusion of Initialization Period
6.4.3 Impact of Alternatives on Demand
6.4.4 Signal/Meter Control Optimization
6.5.1 Numerical Output
6.5.2 Correcting Biases in the Results
6.6 Evaluation of Alternatives
6.6.1 Interpretation of System Performance Results
6.6.2 Hypothesis Testing
6.6.3 Confidence Intervals and Sensitivity Analysis
6.6.4 Comparing Results to Other Traffic Analysis Tools
6.6.5 Reviewing Animation Output
6.6.6 Comparison Techniques
6.7 Example Problem: Alternatives Analysis
7.0 Final Report and Technical Documentation
7.3 Presentation of a CORSIM Simulation Analysis
7.4 Example Problem: Final Report
Appendix A: Introduction to CORSIM Theory
Appendix B: CORSIM Capabilities and Limitations
Appendix C: Initialization Period
Appendix D: Generation and Usage of Random Numbers in CORSIM
Appendix E: Vehicle Entry Headway Generation in CORSIM
Appendix F: Actuated Signal Control
Appendix G: Error Checking Process – Coded Input Data Checklist
Appendix H: Understanding CORSIM Output
Appendix I: Frequently Asked Questions
Appendix J: Converting Between Systems of Actuated Control Parameters
Appendix K: Coding Techniques for Complex Situations
Appendix L: Run-Time Extension Overview
Appendix M: CORSIM Path Following Capability
Appendix N: Emergency Vehicle Operation
List of Figures
Figure 1. Flowchart. CORSIM model development and application process
Figure 2. Chart. Selecting a peak period for analysis
Figure 3. Chart. Prototypical CORSIM analysis task sequence.
Figure 4. Graphic. Example problem: study map.
Figure 5. Graph. Example problem: peak period selection
Figure 6. Chart. Example problem: study schedule
Figure 7. Illustration. Traffic count example
Figure 8. Illustration. Example problem: aerial photo and planimetric map
Figure 9. Chart. Example problem: turning movement count
Figure 10. Illustration. Example problem: freeway bottleneck locations
Figure 11. Graph. Example problem: freeway travel time summary
Figure 12. Drawing. Example problem: HWY 100 lane geometry schematic
Figure 13. Drawing. Example problem: Minnetonka Blvd. lane geometry drawing
Figure 14. Illustration. Typical surface street node location
Figure 15. Illustration. Overlapped turn bay node location
Figure 16. Illustration. One-way street node location
Figure 17. Illustration. Freeway placement of nodes
Figure 18. Illustration. Node layout in TRAFED
Figure 19. Illustration. Freeway lane identification codes
Figure 20. Illustration. Freeway layout with 11 lanes
Figure 21. Illustration. Lane drop downstream of ramp meter
Figure 22. Illustration. Effects of incorrect link length
Figure 23. Illustration. TRAFVU intersection pull back
Figure 24. Chart. Surface street lane numbering
Figure 25. Illustration. Left turn channelization
Figure 26. Illustration. Sample lane alignment
Figure 27. Illustration. Turning alignments
Figure 28. Graph. Volume interpolation when not assigned for a time period
Figure 29. Illustration. Ramp-to-ramp trips
Figure 30. Illustration. Conditional turn movement example at diamond interchange
Figure 31. Illustration. TRAFED actuated control property dialog
Figure 32. Illustration. TRAFED pre-timed controller property dialog
Figure 33. Illustration. Example problem: HWY 100 link-node diagram
Figure 34. Illustration. Example problem: freeway origin-destination table
Figure 35. Illustration. Example problem: base model development review
Figure 36. Illustration. Example problem: HWY 100 northbound lane geometry schematic
Figure 37. Illustration. Example problem: link-node diagram of HWY 100 interchanges
Figure 38. Illustration. Example problem: volume error check at node 325, time period 1
Figure 39. Illustration. Example problem: volume error check at node 325, time period 4
Figure 40. Illustration. Example problem: sample signal timing sheet
Figure 41. Illustration. Example problem: sample signal plan schematic
Figure 42. Illustration. Example problem: TRAFVU detector error check
Figure 43. Illustration. Example problem: warning message from TRAFED-CORSIM translation
Figure 44. Illustration. Incorrect coding of lane drop
Figure 45. Flowchart. Calibration approach
Figure 46. Equation. Calculating the GEH Statistic (14)
Figure 47. Equation. Determining the appropriate number of simulation runs to complete
Figure 48. Illustration. Typical freeway bottleneck locations
Figure 49. Figure. Example of sensitivity of car following sensitivity multiplier on throughput of a basic freeway segment
Figure 50. Figure. Example of sensitivity of mean discharge headway on throughput of a signalized intersection approach
Figure 51. Figure. Example of comparing actual speed from field to modeled speed
Figure 52. Figure. Speed-volume relationship in CORSIM for a basic freeway segment
Figure 53. Illustration. Example problem: HWY 100 freeway bottleneck locations
Figure 54. Graph. Example problem: capacity calibration at northbound HWY 100/25th ½ Street Exit
Figure 55. Graph. Example problem: speed calibration results for northbound HWY 100 during AM peak.
Figure 56. Graph. Example problem: speed calibration results for northbound HWY 100 at WB TH 7 Exit during AM peak
Figure 57. Equation. Calculating the 95th percentile probable worst outcome
Figure 58. Formula. Determining the nearest neighbor value
Figure 59. Graph. Sample mean data graph for nearest neighbor example
Figure 60. Illustration. Washington State DOT traffic profile graph(20)
Figure 61. Illustration. Sample comparison of project alternatives using schematic drawing
Figure 62. Illustration. Example problem: traffic demand forecast at HWY 100/TH 7 interchange
Figure 63. Illustration. Example problem: alternatives generation and analysis process
Figure 64. Illustration. Example problem: visual comparison of HWY 100/TH 7 interchange alternatives
Figure 65. Graph. Maximum acceleration versus speed by performance index
Figure 66. Graph. Fuel consumption for different acceleration rates
Figure 67. Graph. Vehicles discharged from an internal link in equilibrium example
Figure 68. Illustration. Reaching equilibrium
Figure 69. Graph. Random variations in average speed among 10 runs
Figure 70. Equation. Schrage random number generator
Figure 71. Graph. Normal distribution
Figure 72. Graph. Exponential variates
Figure 73. Graph. Erlang distribution
Figure 74. Diagram. Typical traffic signal dual-ring diagram
Figure 75. Diagram. Standard NEMA phasing
Figure 76. Diagram. Lagging left turn phase
Figure 77. Diagram. Leading protected left turns on the main street, concurrent side-street phases
Figure 78. Diagram. Dual ring, leading protected left turns on the main street, split side-street phases
Figure 79. Diagram. Single Ring, Split Phasing
Figure 80. Formula. Extendable interval duration
Figure 81. Formula. Max phase green duration
Figure 82. Chart. Variable initial timing
Figure 83. Chart. Gap reduction concept
Figure 84. Illustration. Overlapping phase
Figure 85. Diagram. Pedestrian demand
Figure 86. Diagram. Typical coordination timing dial
Figure 87. Chart. Phase split diagram
Figure 88. Diagram. Examples of timing plan transitions
Figure 89. Graph. Cumulative versus interval data
Figure 90. Diagram. Control delay components
Figure 91. Equation. Control delay components
Figure 92. Equation. Calculating intersection control delay
Figure 93. Equation. Calculating intersection total delay
Figure 94. Diagram. Intersection phased in a quad left sequence
Figure 95. Formula. CORSIM yield point
Figure 96. Diagram. NETSIM offset versus NEMA offset
Figure 97. Diagram. Signal coordination parameters
Figure 98. Equations. Force off calculations
Figure 99. Equation. Permissive period 1
Figure 100. Equation. Permissive period 2
Figure 101. Equation. Permissive period 2 (recalculated)
Figure 102. Equation. Permissive period 3
Figure 103. Equation. Permissive period 3 (recalculated)
Figure 104. Illustration. Roundabout example in TRAFVU
Figure 105. Illustration. Dummy freeway sections
Figure 106. Illustration. Surface street section
Figure 107. Illustration. U-turn example
Figure 108. Illustration. Continuous left turn
Figure 109. Illustration. Two controllers act as one controller to control two intersections
Figure 110. Illustration. Mid-block pedestrian actuated crossing
Figure 111. Illustration. Actuated control dialog for a mid-block pedestrian phase
Figure 112. Illustration. Reversible freeway lane example
Figure 113. Diagram. TSIS architecture
Figure 114. Illustration. Path file format and example for path following
Figure 115. Illustration. Example of the vehicle file for path following
Figure 116. Illustration. Example of the probe file format for path following
Figure 117. Illustration. Emergency vehicle contra-flow
List of Tables
Table 1. Professional staff and suggested chapters
Table 2. Example milestones and deliverables for a CORSIM study (7)
Table 3. Example problem: key tasks and level of effort estimated
Table 4. Example spreadsheet storage of freeway mainline geometry data
Table 5. Geometric data for CORSIM
Table 6. Demand data for CORSIM
Table 7. Example problem: heavy truck and fleet composition data
Table 8. Sample node numbering scheme.
Table 9. Example problem: geometric inputs with incorrect coding
Table 10. Example problem: southbound HWY 100 at TH 7 westbound exit volumes
Table 11. Wisconsin DOT freeway model calibration targets (14)
Table 12. Example adjustment of the car-following sensitivity factor
Table 13. Example problem: model adjustments for calibrating capacity
Table 14. Example problem: NB HWY 100 AM peak traffic volumes
Table 15. Example problem: final system performance calibration values for NB HWY 100
Table 16. Example nearest neighbor calculation with multiple MOEs
Table 17. Sample MOE summary table
Table 18. Example problem: HWY 100/Minnetonka Blvd. interchange operations in 2031
Table 19. Example problem: northbound HWY 100 freeway operations in 2031
Table 20. Default CORSIM vehicle specifications
Table 21. CORSIM freeway modeling capabilities
Table 22. CORSIM surface street modeling capabilities
Table 23. Bus route MOEs
Table 24. Bus station MOEs
Table 25. Data station MOEs
Table 26. Data station histogram MOEs
Table 27. Freeway detector MOEs
Table 28. Surface street detector MOEs
Table 29. Entry link MOEs
Table 30. Link fleet MOEs
Table 31. Freeway lane MOEs
Table 32. Freeway HOV lane MOEs (continued)
Table 33. Surface street lane MOEs
Table 34. Freeway link MOEs (continued)
Table 35. Surface street link MOEs (continued)
Table 36. Network-wide MOEs
Table 37. Freeway network MOEs
Table 38. Surface street network MOEs (continued)
Table 39. Section MOEs
Table 41. Freeway network vehicle type MOEs
Table 42. Surface street network vehicle type MOEs
Table 43. Conflict data MOEs
Table 44. Permissive periods
