Analysis for the Port Ferry Operation and Control Alternatives by Using Traffic Micro Simulation Modeling

This study performed an analysis of alternative means to control pre-boarding management for Port Aransas Ferry operations. This analysis represents the first stage of several analysis phases intended, in total, to provide results and associated recommendations for the complete storage, management, and traffic control of vehicles approaching and using the ferry system on both the City of Port Aransas and on the mainland approach from Harbor Island. Two planned improvements are under way and being investigated for improving the efficiency of the Port Aransas Ferry system. The first of these changes is the addition of two new and larger ferry boats in everyday operation. Another change being investigated for the ferry system is the reconfiguration and semi-automation of the Port Aransas Ferry landing.The investigation made use of the VISSIM traffic simulation model for ferry operation. The ferry boat was coded into the model so that realistic operations simulation could be performed and demonstrated in both 2-D and 3-D models. A special feature within VISSIM is the ability to custom-code traffic control using a built-in program known as VAP. The results demonstrate the 3-D ferry operation and the new informative automated control system. The performance measures show benefits for alternatives, on perspective of reduction in total vehicle delay and the queue length.