Microsimulation Calibration Using Speed-Flow Relationships

A microsimulation calibration methodology based on matching speed-flow graphs from field and simulation is presented. Evaluation and automation of matching speed-flow graphs are based on methods from pattern recognition. The methodology was applied to the US-101 freeway network in San Francisco, California, by using an evolutionary algorithm. The methodology is compared to traditional methods of calibration based on capacity and is shown to perform better. In addition, a small-scale test-network simulation model was developed to assist in calibration of large-scale simulation models. The performance of the test-network-based calibration is comparable to the US-101 simulation model.