TransModeler is the name of a based

traffic simulation Traffic simulation or the simulation of transportation systems is the mathematical modeling of transportation systems (e.g., freeway junctions, arterial routes, roundabouts, downtown grid systems, etc.) through the application of computer software t ...

platform for doing wide-area traffic planning,

traffic management Traffic management is a key branch within logistics. It concerns the planning control and purchasing of transport services needed to physically move vehicles (for example aircraft, road vehicles, rolling stock and watercraft) and freight. Traffi ...

, and emergency evacuation studies that is developed by Caliper Corporation. It can animate the behavior of multi-modal traffic systems to show the flow of

vehicle A vehicle (from la, vehiculum) is a machine that transports people or cargo. Vehicles include wagons, bicycles, motor vehicles (motorcycles, cars, trucks, buses, mobility scooters for disabled people), railed vehicles (trains, trams), ...

s, the operation of

traffic signals Traffic lights, traffic signals, or stoplights – known also as robots in South Africa are signalling devices positioned at road intersections, pedestrian crossings, and other locations in order to control flows of traffic. Traffic light ...

, and the overall performance of the transportation

network Network, networking and networked may refer to: Science and technology * Network theory, the study of graphs as a representation of relations between discrete objects * Network science, an academic field that studies complex networks Mathematics ...

About TransModeler

TransModeler is a

package applicable to a wide array of traffic planning and modeling tasks. TransModeler can simulate many kinds of road networks, including freeways and downtown areas, and can analyze wide-area multimodal networks. It can be used to model and visualize the behavior of traffic systems in a 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional GIS environment to illustrate and evaluate traffic flow dynamics, traffic signal and ITS operations, connected and automated vehicles (CAVs), and overall network performance. Like other Caliper Corporation products, TransModeler is a native GIS environment. TransModeler integrates with TransCAD, the travel demand forecasting software. TransModeler includes a proprietary BASIC-like programming language (Caliper Script) within a development interface (GISDK) that allows automation of the TransModeler environment. TransModeler includes a relational database and a matrix engine for native matrix operations. TransModeler simulates public transportation as well as bicycle, car, and truck traffic. Transit route system travel demand can be specified as either schedule or headway based. Pedestrian crossing demand can also be simulated. TransModeler is inherently a trip-based microscopic simulation package. Demand can also be simulated using turning movement volumes. The trip-based routing handles a wide variety of intelligent transportation system (ITS) features such as managed lanes (such as HOV and HOT lanes), electronic toll collection, route guidance, and traffic detection and surveillance. Simulation-based dynamic traffic assignment (DTA) can be used to inform vehicle's route choices. Calibration methods like Origin-Destination Matrix Estimation (ODME) are also available. TransModeler's road editor natively supports two-way links and roads, which enables automatic handling for two-way left-turn lanes (TWLTL) and automatic handling of overtaking/passing on two-lane highways. Vehicle conflict points and yield points are automatically calculated inside of intersections. Road networks can be imported from Synchro,

CORSIM TSIS-CORSIM is a microscopic traffic simulation software package for signal systems, highway systems, freeway systems, or combined signal, highway and freeway systems. CORSIM (CORridor SIMulation) consists of an integrated set of two microscopi ...

, and TransCAD line layers. TransModeler is integrated with th
Highway Capacity Software (HCS)
in that it can be used to simulate Urban Streets, Freeway Facilities and Stop-Controlled Intersection (TWSC/ASWC) files created i
HCS
TransModeler includes various tools for managing a simulation project and the associated scenarios. Project databases, traffic signal timing plans, and other input data can be shared between multiple projects and scenarios.

TransModeler Projects

TransModeler is used for projects throughout the world.

Wide Area, High Fidelity Traffic Simulation for MAG

For the

Maricopa Association of Governments Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) is a Council of Governments (COG) that serves as the regional agency for the greater Maricopa region in Arizona, United States. This includes the Phoenix area and the neighboring urbanized area in Pinal C ...

Caliper A caliper (British spelling also calliper, or in plurale tantum sense a pair of calipers) is a device used to measure the dimensions of an object. Many types of calipers permit reading out a measurement on a ruled scale, a dial, or a digital d ...

developed the largest high-fidelity microsimulation model ever attempted. Using TransModeler, vehicle traffic was simulated within a 500 square mile area of

Phoenix Phoenix most often refers to: * Phoenix (mythology), a legendary bird from ancient Greek folklore * Phoenix, Arizona, a city in the United States Phoenix may also refer to: Mythology Greek mythological figures * Phoenix (son of Amyntor), a ...

using a microscopic model with a .1 second time step. The network includes more than 1800

which were simulated at the same time. The network is represented at the lane level with accurate intersection placement and geography. An equilibrium dynamic traffic assignment (DTA) was performed using the microscopic loading.

Lake County Area Microsimulation Model

TransModeler was used to calibrate a model spanning most of Lake County, CA. The focus of the model was the management of traffic demand between routes north and south of Clear Lake. The corridor is more than 50 miles in length, is made up of State Routes 20, 29, and 53, and includes most local roads in the towns through which the routes pass. After calibrating and validating the model, alternative strategies for traffic calming and access management in the towns were considered with a view toward attracting traffic to the route south of the Lake, which impacts local communities to a much lesser degree.

Whatcom County Area-wide Micro-simulation Model

Caliper developed a microscopic traffic simulation model of Whatcom County, WA. The existing micro-simulation database in TransModeler was expanded to the scope of the regional travel demand model, with a detailed representation of highway geography and traffic signal control in the region. Time-varying origin-destination (OD) demand was estimated to match available field data, and a Dynamic Traffic Assignment (DTA) based on TransModeler’s microscopic traffic simulation was used to estimate a consistent set of congested travel times. The high prevalence of truck traffic and the crossings along the Canada–US border caused further challenges to accurately modeling dynamic trip patterns, route selection behavior and vehicle interactions. The completed large-scale model was used to assist planning and traffic operations staff with conducting scenario analyses and evaluating traffic management strategies for informed decision-making.

Capital Beltway High-occupancy Toll (HOT) Lanes

Caliper Corporation developed a TransModeler traffic simulation of the

High-occupancy toll lane A high-occupancy toll lane (or HOT lane) is a type of traffic lane or roadway that is available to high-occupancy vehicles and other exempt vehicles without charge; other vehicles are required to pay a variable fee that is adjusted in response ...

s (HOT) lanes on the

Capital Beltway The Capital Beltway is a Interstate Highway in the Washington metropolitan area that surrounds Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States, and its inner suburbs in adjacent Maryland and Virginia. It is the basis of the phrase " inside ...

(I-495) in

Virginia Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States, between the Atlantic Coast and the Appalachian Mountains. The geography and climate of the Commonwealth ar ...

with

Transurban Transurban is a road operator company that manages and develops urban toll road networks in Australia, Canada and the United States. It is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). Transurban is the full owner of CityLink in Melbour ...

, a leading toll road owner and operator in Australia and North America. The

HOT Lanes project is a nearly two billion dollar public-private partnership that is intended to be an innovative solution to traffic congestion through dynamic, open-road tolling. Sensors will monitor traffic levels continuously, and a tolling algorithm designed to maintain a target level of service in the HOT lanes will adjust the price dynamically. Drivers who choose to use the HOT lanes will pay a toll conveyed to them via dynamic message signs. Carpools with three or more persons, buses, and emergency vehicles will be able to use the HOT lanes without charge.

Integrated Corridor Management Program – Analysis, Modeling and Simulation (AMS) for the I-270 Corridor in Montgomery County, Maryland (Phase I)

Caliper Corporation developed a pilot TransModeler micro-simulation model for the I-270 corridor in Montgomery County, MD. This work was conducted for the University of Maryland’s Center for Advanced Transportation Technology (CATT) and Maryland’s State Highway Administration (SHA). The objective of this project was to demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of TransModeler in supporting large-scale corridor analyses such as the Integrated Corridor Management (ICM) initiative by the US DOT. The ICM initiative aims to demonstrate the use of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) to plan and manage congested traffic corridors by assisting decision-makers in identifying gaps, evaluating strategies, and investing in the best combination of strategies that would minimize congestion and improve safety. The I-270 corridor in Maryland is one of eight test sites selected by the US DOT.

Micro-simulation of Greater Eureka Area, CA

Caliper has developed a micro-simulation model of the Greater Eureka Area (GEA) in Northern California for the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and Humboldt County. The simulation in TransModeler is integrated with the GEA travel model in TransCAD and includes a number of base year and future scenarios. The simulation model and the GEA travel model provide a comprehensive travel demand and traffic simulation platform with which Caltrans, county, and city staff evaluate projects now and in the future.

State Route 91 Corridor System Management Plan

CLR Analytics developed, calibrated, and validated a traffic microsimulation model for the State Route 91 (SR-91) Corridor System Management Plan (CSMP) study in Orange County, CA. The calibrated model was used as the base model for testing alternative build scenarios under future conditions. The Orange County section of the SR-91 is 25 miles long from the Los Angeles County line to the Riverside County line and includes interchanges with 5 different freeways. SR-91 contains both HOV, Toll, and mixed use lane facilities. All freeway facilities as well as most major arterials and their signalized intersections are included in the model. This model focuses on both the morning and afternoon rush hours from 6:00 to 10:00 AM and 2:00 to 8:00 PM, respectively, in order to cover all periods of congested travel.

Release History

*TransModeler 1.0 - December 2005 *TransModeler 2.0 - January 2009 *TransModeler 3.0 - December 2012 *TransModeler 4.0 - October 2014 *TransModeler 5.0 - March 2018 *TransModeler 6.0 - October 2020 *TransModeler 6.1 - January 2022

References

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External links

TransModeler official website
- Caliper Corporation Traffic simulation