Technical Report Documentation Page

1. Report No.

FHWA-HOP-07-079

2. Government Accession No.

3. Recipient's Catalog No.

4. Title and Subtitle

Traffic Analysis Toolbox Volume IV:
Guidelines for Applying CORSIM Microsimulation Modeling Software

5. Report Date

January 2007

6. Performing Organization Code

7. Author(s)

Peter Holm, Daniel Tomich, Jaimie Sloboden, Cheryl Lowrance

8. Performing Organization Report No.

9. Performing Organization Name and Address

ITT Industries, Inc.

10. Work Unit No. (TRAIS)

11. Contract or Grant No.

12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address

Department of Transportation
Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office
400 Seventh Street, SW - Room 3416
Washington, DC 20590

13. Type of Report and Period Covered

Final Report, February 2004 – December 2006

14. Sponsoring Agency Code

15. Supplementary Notes

FHWA COTR: John Halkias, Office of Transportation Management
FHWA COTM: James Colyar, Office of Operations Research & Development

16. Abstract

This report describes a process and acts as guidelines for the recommended use of CORSIM traffic simulation software in transportation analyses.  The seven-step process presented in these guidelines highlights the aspects of a CORSIM analysis from project start to project completion. The seven steps in the process include: 1) scope project, 2) data collection, 3) base model development, 4) error checking, 5) calibration - comparing model MOEs to field data (and adjusting model parameters), 6) alternatives analysis, and 7) final report.  Each step is described in detail and an example problem applying the process is carried through the entire document.

The report appendices contain detailed information covering areas such as: fundamentals of CORSIM model theory, an overview of CORSIM capabilities and limitations, guidance on the initialization period, a discussion on actuated signal control in CORSIM, coding techniques for complex situations, and run-time extension.

This is the fourth volume in a series of volumes in the Traffic Analysis Toolbox.  The other volumes currently in the Traffic Analysis Toolbox are:
Volume I: Traffic Analysis Tools Primer (FHWA-HRT-04-038)
Volume II: Decision Support Methodology for Selecting Traffic Analysis Tools (FHWA-HRT-04-039)

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17. Key Words

CORSIM, traffic simulation, traffic analysis tools, highway capacity, simulation guidelines, microsimulation

18. Distribution Statement

No restrictions.  This document is available to the public through the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA  22161

19. Security Classification (of this report)

Unclassified

20. Security Classification (of this page)

Unclassified

21. No of Pages

348

22. Price