Simulation methods can be successfully used to analyse intersections without traffic signals. A good simulation system must be able to replicate the interactions among vehicles, between vehicles and traffic control measures, and between vehicles and intersection geometry. To accomplish this, the simulation model must be carefully designed, validated, and calibrated for real-life traffic situations. The basic features of the HUTSIM-simulation system, developed at the Helsinki University of Technology, are described. The paper includes a discussion of the advantages of simulation and a comparison of HUTSIM with a Swedish mathematical model called CAPCAL2 and the new Swedish roundabout model (CAP). HUTSIM is designed with an object-oriented code. The basic traffic model has been calibrated with a wide variety of field measurements dealing with gap-acceptance, car-following, vehicle dynamics, and intersection design. Because of its very detailed traffic model, the output of the program can be used for fuel consumption and emission analysis as well. This study includes a specific comparison of the results derived from the HUTSIM and CAP models. This comparison provides new insights to the validity of both models and will lead to further development of each one. (A)
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