Application of Microscopic Simulation Model Calibration and Validation Procedure: A Case Study of Coordinated Actuated Signal System

In the application of microscopic simulation models, the importance of model calibration and validation cannot be overemphasized. A recent study proposed a systematic approach of conducting simulation model calibration and validation procedure on the basis of experimental design and optimization, and applied it to an isolated intersection using a VISSIM simulation model. This study further evaluates the previously developed simulation model calibration and validation procedure using an urban arterial network consisted of 12 coordinated actuated signalized intersections. Both VISSIM and CORSIM simulation models were used. Travel time was used for calibration measure, while maximum queue length was used for validation measure. The study results showed that the calibrated and validated simulation models were able to adequately represent field conditions while default parameter based models were not. As such the previously developed simulation model calibration and validation procedure was proven to be effective for an arterial network under both VISSIM and CORSIM simulation models.