The Role and Benefit of Traffic Simulation in TSMO

Traffic simulation has steadily grown as a prominent practice in evaluating diverse and complex operational strategies. This includes many Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) applications (e.g., ramp metering, managed lanes, traffic signal prioritization, and integrated corridor management, among others). However, due to differing evolution and practitioner communities, TSMO personnel may not be fully aware nor are fully utilizing the capabilities of traffic simulation in their practice.

The intent of this webinar is to communicate the role and benefit of traffic simulation to TSMO practitioners. It will include an introductory presentation summarizing the capabilities of traffic simulation and its role in TSMO evaluation and decision-making. This is followed by several success stories utilizing traffic simulation in real-world TSMO deployments, including: (1) evaluating a predictive algorithm for a variable speed limit system in Virginia before implementation and (2) evaluating various TSMO strategies (dynamic lane and speed control, ramp metering, and hard shoulder running) along I-380 in Iowa. It concludes with an expert panel discussing how TSMO and modeling communities can bridge current gaps and collaboratively support TSMO deployment.

This webinar is envisioned to be the initial in a series of webinars showcasing traffic simulation success stories in TSMO deployments.

Target Audience

• Wide-range of TSMO practitioners: senior managers with TSMO responsibilities, managers of specific TSMO strategies, and other TSMO operations staff.

• Transportation engineering staff responsible for evaluation of operational strategies.

• Modelers of traffic simulation.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the role of traffic simulation in evaluating TSMO strategies and assisting TSMO decision-making processes.

• Highlight success stories utilizing traffic simulation in real-world TSMO deployments (and the unique benefits traffic simulation provided).

• Describe how TSMO and modeling communities can collaborate to support TSMO.

Moderator

• Brad Freeze, Director of Traffic Operations Division (TN DOT) 

Presenters

• Mohammed Hadi, Professor (Florida International University) 

• Sanhita Lahiri, Data and System Analysis Manager (VDOT)

• Britton Hammit , Transportation Engineer (Kimley-Horn) 

• Phil Mescher, Transportation Planner (Iowa DOT)

• Joe Blasi Transportation Planning Engineer (HNTB)

• Jim Sturrock, Traffic Engineer (FHWA)