Recent interest in using modern roundabouts as an effective and safe method for intersection control in the United States stresses the need for accurate modeling tools. The objective of this paper is to assess the calibration potential of common analytical and micro-simulation roundabout models to operations at modern roundabouts. The models considered were aaSIDRA and RODEL (on the analytical side); and PARAMICS, SimTraffic, and VISSIM (on the micro-simulation side). For this study, two modern roundabouts from New Hamsphire were selected and video-taped over a wide range of time intervals and traffic conditions. Evaluation of the calibration potential of the models was based on comparisons between the models' approach delay outputs and the measured field delay from the video-tapes. Models' parameters were systematically changed to assess their impact on the models' results with respect to field observations. Among the conclusions of the study are that current roundabout analysis models vary in terms of the calibration options provided, that calibration can have a significant impact on improving the models' results, and that calibration needs to be site-specific.
Samenvatting