Traffic+simulation

Traffic Simulations
What are Traffic Simulations? Network traffic simulation is a process used in telecommunications engineering to measure the efficiency of a communications network. Telecommunications systems are complex real-world systems, containing many different components which interact, in complex interrelationships. The analysis of such a system can become extremely difficult: modeling techniques tend to analyze each component rather than the relationships between components. Simulation is an approach which can be used to model large, complex stochastic systems for forecasting or performance measurement purposes. It is the most common quantitative modeling technique used. Simulation model can be defined as “a computer program that uses mathematical models to conduct experiments with traffic events on a transportation facility or system over extended periods of time”. Some discussions refer to macrosimulation (travel forecasting models) versus microsimulation (traffic operations models). Some reasons for developing traffic models are:
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 * To simulate the effect of control measures like:**

For those of you who like to play games, here is a one related to simulations: @http://www.phy.ntnu.edu.tw/java/trafficControl/trafficControl.html Advantages of simulations:
 * Speed limits
 * Overtaking bans for trucks, especially at uphill or downhill sections
 * Restrictions for lane changing, especially before or at merging regions
 * Traffic flow control at on ramps
 * To simulate the effect of new infrastructure before it has been build.
 * To simulate the influence of vehicles with adaptive cruise-control systems. If an increasing percentage of vehicles has such systems, does traffic become more stable? Can the traffic flow per lane be increased?
 * Finally one can even simulate different or new traffic rules. For example, allowing overtaking on freeways at either side combined with a speed limit.

Disadvantages of simulations:
 * It is possible to easily compare alternative designs so as to select the optimal system
 * The actual process of developing the simulation can itself provide valuable insights into the inner workings of the network which can in turn be used at a later stage
 * Time and money saving
 * Possible to test new traffic rules without putting humans into dangerous situations and comparing the results of different types of traffic rules

//Reliability:// Data may be unreliable if it is entered incorrectly or if it becomes outdated. The machines may break down or a hacker may violate the whole design by changing the data needed for the simulation. //Integrity:// Again, a hacker may break into the system and change the data or the data could be accidentally changed. //Security:// To make the simulation secure, it should be protected with a special password or a firewall if it is published at the internet, so only the right people access the core of the simulation, where they input or change the data. //Authenticity//: Only people with a password will be able to input the data. Normal people are able to access the simulation most of the times from the internet to see how it looks like, without changing anything. //Equality of Access:// People with an internet connection will be able to access the simulation; therefore they have to own a computer that has an internet connection. //Control:// The control of simulations is very easy for the administrator of the simulation. If he or she enters the password needed to change some information, it is very easy to make changes, therefore control the design. //Policies and Standards:// In this case, technology is used appropriately. It saves time, money and is nature friendly. //People and Machines:// This design is very safe and effective if the data are correctly input. Technology makes work much easier, cheaper and faster. Resources: [|www.howstuffworks.com]
 * Data can be incorrectly input
 * Accurate simulation model development requires extensive resources
 * The simulation results are only as good as the model and as such are still only estimates
 * It is very costly to develop a good, reliable and realistic simulation
 * Social and Ethical Issues:**

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