Real-Time Traffic Simulation With a Microscopic Model

This paper describes a microscopic model that is able to simulate traffic situations in an urban environment in real time for use in driving simulators. Two types of vehicles are considered in the simulation, namely the user-driven vehicle at the center of the simulation model and the other vehicles that interact with it and its surroundings, which configure the developed traffic model. Simulation is performed in a reduced zone, called the control zone, surrounding the user-driven vehicle. This control zone is a mobile zone centered on the user-driven vehicle. The size of the control zone depends on the maximum number of vehicles involved simultaneously, the traffic density, and the driver's limit of visibility. The other vehicles involved in the traffic simulation are created or destroyed within the limits of the control zone. The general behavior of the traffic model is based on the following theory. Vehicles have an associated driver model that establishes several control functions for them to follow the path, while the steering, acceleration, and braking maneuvers follow certain models of behavior. A traffic light regulation is also included but only in the control area. The possibility of introducing anomalous traffic situations into the simulation is also considered, such as the presence of obstacles, abnormal maneuvers, etc. The developed model is immediately applicable to large-scale driving simulators for driver training, traffic control studies, and safety studies.