1. Effective Visualization of Large
Scale Dynamic Traffic Information
from a Traffic Simulation Model
Robert Tung, PhD
RST International Inc.
Bellevue, WA
7th International Symposium on Visualization in
Transportation
October 24, 2013
Beckman Center
Irvine, CA
DynuStudio/DynusT/DTA

2. Big Data in Travel Models
• Volume (travel models become fine grained time dependent and requires
lots of supporting data)
– From aggregate to disaggregate
– From static to dynamic
– From planning to operation
– High spatial representation
• Velocity (new data are produced in unprecedented speed)
– Real time continuous traffic data
– GPS & Smart devices
• Variety/Complexity
– Data come in many formats (video, Bluetooth, GPS)
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3. Macro-Meso-Micro
Network Models
• Macroscopic
– Zone based trip behavior assumption
– Discrete Time period based link performance
– Non-capacity constrained static UE assignment
– Good for regional travel demand forecasting
• Mesoscopic
– Average platoon driving behavior assumption
– Continuous time based link performance
– Flow Density based DUE assignment & simulation
– Good for route choice & mode choice behavior analysis
• Microscopic
– Individual vehicle driving behavior assumption
– Sub-second vehicle simulation
– Based on car-following and lane-changing theories
– Good for inter vehicles and corridor operational studies
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4. Network Representation
in Three Levels
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5. Dynamic Traffic Assignment
(DynusT DTA)
• Anisotropic Mesoscopic Simulation
– Simplified car following & lane changing behavior
• Rich travel behavior representation
– Departure time choice
– Route choice & mode choice
– Diversion choice
– Sensitive to:
• Work zone, Congestion, En-route Information, Pricing,
Evacuation scenarios
• Fast computing and can handle large regional
network for 24h continuous simulation
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6. Recent DynuStudio/DynusT DTA Model
Deployment
Model Total Lane
Miles
24 Hour
Demand
(mil)
Density
Factor
CAMPO 11,461 4.6 400
MAG 16,696 6.2 400
SCAG 67,389 34.5 500
CMAP 41,721 20.5 500
DRCOG 15,794 7.5 500
SACOG 9,594 5.2 550
PSRC 13,753 9.5 700
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7. Visualization Needs for DTA
Simulation Models
• Diagnosis, Analysis & Presentation:
– Vehicle trajectory
– Congestion pattern
– Bottleneck and spillback
– Traffic diversion
– Temporal profiles
– System MoE
– Scenario Comparison
– Real time data
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8. Vehicle Trajectory Display
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9. Spillback & Bottleneck Analysis
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10. Congestion Pattern Analysis
Density & Delays
Density & Flows
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11. Scenario Comparison
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12. Real Time Data
Speed & Delays
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13. Temporal Profiles
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14. Time Space Heat Map
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15. Data Mining
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16. THANK YOU!
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