Speed Trajectory of Vehicles in VISSIM to Recognize Zone of Influence for Urban-Signalized Intersection

Heterogeneous traffic in India is a complex phenomenon deals with highly transient vehicle compositions, their static and dynamic characteristics, and combination of non-motorized and motorized vehicles. It is difficult to collect and analyze the real traffic data due to the complexities of mixed traffic, creates need for simulation model to replicate the actual traffic scenario. VISSIM is microscopic traffic simulation software used to model urban-mixed traffic conditions. It is able to generate speed trajectory of vehicles in network, which is used to analyze driving activities of vehicle in terms of average speed, maximum speed, acceleration, deceleration, idling period, cruise period, etc. These driving activities mostly occur at signalized intersection because of signal control operations and creates high pollution zone. Present paper highlights traffic flow simulation for signalized intersection in VISSIM to recognize zone of influence through acceleration and deceleration activities of vehicle. It is the stretch at which vehicles come under influence of the intersection and lead to sharp deceleration followed by idle and acceleration phase. Vehicle speed trajectory is generated in VISSIM and zone of influence is identified based on spatial speed fluctuation profile. Calibration of model is carried out to match the vehicles’ speed–acceleration parameters to the real traffic conditions. The speed trajectory of vehicles in real traffic has been collected through velocity box instrument embedded with GPS system. The model is validated by comparing simulation results with collected real traffic data through statistical errors. An urban-signalized intersection of Vadodara city located in Gujarat state is for the study.