Edmonton Valley Line LRT Traffic Modeling
Corresponding Author: Yaping Xin, City of Edmonton
Presented By: Peter Xin, City of Edmonton
Abstract
Traditionally, intersection volumes forecasted from macro demand models are used as primary data input for micro simulation models. For light rail transit (LRT) modeling, since a macro model does not explicitly consider roadway capacity changes due to dynamic traffic signal timing plans resulting from LRT operations, it often underestimates traffic diverted out of the LRT corridor due to insufficient consideration of time dependent intersection capacity constraints. As such, a manual adjustment process is typically involved to develop horizon year intersection design volumes. Although with a time consuming process, the design volumes are still questionable and biased over personal’s judgement.
In order to better analyze traffic impact along the Edmonton Valley Line LRT corridor and adjacent areas, the City proposed a dynamic traffic assignment (DTA) model to bridge its existing regional travel model (RTM) and micro simulation models. This presentation will mainly focus on the DTA model development, and how the DTA model results are different with macro models and benefit micro simulation modeling. The data exchange among the three types of models will be also covered.