Distributed parallel object-oriented environment for traffic simulation (POETS)

POETS is an experimental traffic simulation incorporating parallel processing, object-oriented methods and data-flow scheduling on a distributed workstation platform. Primary emphasis of this project is on the integration of these advanced computing methods in the development of a fundamental traffic model. Traffic modeling provides an ideal application environment, representative of the demand for parallel processing in real-world simulations. Usage of distributed parallel processing, object oriented approaches, and data-flow scheduling in traffic simulation achieves objectives of enhanced performance, efficiency, representation and scalability in a pragmatic environment. The implementation employs C++ and a new parallel language system, Mentat. An overview of the project, challenges encountered, Mentat usage, and preliminary findings are presented in this paper.