The validation of a microscopic simulation model: a methodological case study

This study demonstrates how validation of microscopic simulation models can be undertaken when suitable data is available. In this case, time series data collected by an instrumented vehicle is used in the validation of the car following performance of a fuzzy logic-based car following model. A number of qualitative steps are used to test the underlying logic and quantitative steps are used to obtain a measure of model performance. Good agreement has been attained between the simulated model and observed data, primarily using a root mean square error indicator. The new model is compared with the performance of several existing formulations. The new model is substantially better than some of the alternative formulations, but was only marginally better than those that had already undergone some calibration to time series data.

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