Calibration and Validation of Micro-simulation (S-Paramics) Model for Merging Sections

Abstract

Recently, simulation models have been widely used across the world in terms of evaluation of the performance of different traffic facilities, such as normal sections, intersections, roundabout, etc., the economic evaluation and safety evaluation. To examine the accuracy and versatility of micro simulation programmes such as S-Paramics when modelling highways, is by calibrating and then validating the model against real life data taken from loop detectors. In this study, a merging section has been modelled using S-Paramics. Then, this modelled section was calibrated and validated by real data taken from loop detectors located in the merging area in the Manchester city. According to the statistical tests, the results of calibration and validation show acceptable behaviour between the simulation model and the reality. The graphical representation indicates that this model is more suitable for normal section than merging section