Behavioral simulation of a high-density traffic network involving an adaptive ramp metering system

Road traffic simulation is a flexible tool used for a wide variety of applications including traffic studies. In addition to mathematical based simulation models, the INRETS (French National Institute for Research in Transportation and Safety) has conducted research based on the driver behavior and has developed a behavioral simulation model, ARCHISIM, by which the traffic is produced by the interaction of simulated drivers. ARCHISIM follows the multiagent principles and can be used for various traffic studies. However, it has not been widely used. Behavioral simulation needs more computing than mathematical simulation. But, as computers get powerful enough to allow the simulation of thousands of vehicles, INRETS and SRILOG (a company specialized in Intelligent Transportation Systems) decided to validate the model for complex high-density highway networks and realized a first decisive study last year. Now we are trying to validate the model for a highway network involving an adaptive ramp metering system. We first present behavioral road traffic simulation and the simulation model ARCHISIM. Then, we expose a high-density network study involving an adaptive ramp metering system on a highway section in the Paris outskirts during the morning rush hours. Finally, the encouraging results of the study are discussed.