Microsimulation Fundamentals Virtual Training

OVERVIEW

This course is intended for transportation professionals who develop and/or review microsimulation-based studies. The scope includes basic principles of microsimulation, best practices and hands-on examples using the latest version of TSIS-CORSIM.

Experienced instructors will guide you through the methodological steps, emphasizing key concepts, best practices, common mistakes, and limitations. Significant changes and updates in the latest version of TSIS-CORSIM will be highlighted. Several example problems will be presented, and participants will get hands-on experience using TSIS-CORSIM for microsimulation modeling and analysis.

Agenda:

Day 1

Introduction to Microsimulation 

• Concepts and principles
• Typical applications
• Microsimulation vs analytical tools
• Evaluating whether simulation is the best tool and possible alternatives
• Determining whether the micro simulator selected is suitable for the purposes of the project

Traffic Flow Simulation Building Blocks 

• Driver behavior elements: car-following, lane-changing, and gap acceptance
• Random numbers and seeds
• Performance measures
• Animation

Signal Controls and Intersections 

• Creating links and nodes
• Input traffic volumes
• Driver behavior settings
• Pre-timed, actuated, and coordinated-actuated operation
• Importing from HCS models
• Performance measures

Day 2

Calibration and Validation 

• Selection of field and/or HCM performance measures
• Determining acceptance criteria for calibration and validation
• Evaluating alternatives
• Determining the number of necessary runs

Freeway Segments 

• Creating links and nodes – basic, merge, diverge and weaving segments
• Input traffic volumes
• Importing from HCS models
• Driver behavior settings

Reviewing microsimulation files 

• Impact of the simulation step; the impact of the minimum saturation headway
• Impact of documenting assumptions
• Impact of performance measurement selection; examples of correct and incorrect simulation applications
• Impacts of calibration and validation
• Suggested checklist for microsimulation projects
• Suggested checklist for microsimulation projects simulation

PDHs provided: 8

Instructors:

Ehsan Amini, PhD is the Outreach and Training Lead at McTrans Center at University of Florida, having taught several training sessions on HCM and HCS courses. He has extensive experience on applying and developing new HCM methods. At McTrans Center, he has held several training sessions on Highway Capacity Analysis and workshops on the use of HCS. He is also actively involved with the Highway Capacity and Quality of Service Committee at TRB, where he currently serves as the User Liaison Lead. 

Notes:

During checkout under "Special Instructions", please indicate the date you have selected to attend and let us know if you will need a time-limited version of HCS for this course. You can also send an email to mctrans@ce.ufl.edu with your selected date.

Registrations may be limited to the first fifteen to ensure questions and discussion can be managed appropriately. Individual registrations are required.

For multiple registrations from the same agency or company on a single transaction, the fee is discounted 10% at $495 per person. 

If you cannot pay by credit card, click here for a printable registration form.

Cancellation Policy:

A full refund will be issued if request is received in writing 7 business days before the course begins. NO refund will be given after that date except in the event the course is canceled. Failure to attend does not constitute cancellation. In the event the workshop is canceled a full refund will be returned, but the University is not responsible for non-refundable travel fares or lodging deposits.