Development and validation of the LWR-IM traffic simulator

This paper presents the development and validation study of a traffic simulator which was developed based on the LWR-IM (Lighthill-Witham-Richards - Integrated Model) mesoscopic traffic model. The structure and functions of the traffic simulator are briefly explained. Validation study on the ability of the traffic simulator to simulate traffic performances that are compatible to performances from VISSIM (“Verkehr In Städten - SIMulationsmodell” in German which means “Traffic in cities - simulation model”) was conducted using a nine intersections symmetrical network. Based on the percentage difference and linear regression, average delays and network throughputs simulated by the LWR-IM based traffic simulator were found to be closely fitted to results from VISSIM.