Regional Traffic Simulation for Emergency Preparedness

This report presents the results of a case study that developed and tested responses to several hypothetical transportation emergencies in the Birmingham, Alabama region. The purpose was to demonstrate the usefulness of microsimulation modeling in developing and refining appropriate response plans. First, the CORSIM traffic simulation software was utilized to create a regional transportation model comprising the major traffic corridors in the Birmingham area. An innovation in this process included the development of computer code that automated the merging of multiple CORSIM files into one integrated transportation network. Then, the regional model was used to test and evaluate various emergency management strategies in response to hypothetical incidents in the Birmingham area. Emergency incidents considered include a traffic accident on a major freeway, a building evacuation in downtown Birmingham, and traffic influx into Birmingham due to an emergency at Anniston Army Depot. Response strategies evaluated include traffic diversion, signal optimization, access restriction, and emergency routing. Appropriate measures of effectiveness (MOEs) were selected to support the assessment process at the region-wide or corridor-level. Candidate response actions were compared and evaluated on the basis of these MOEs and recommendations were developed on best practices and future needs. The project was successful in showcasing the utility of microscopic traffic simulation for regional emergency preparedness and assisting regional transportation officials and public safety agencies in considering effective traffic management strategies in the event of an actual regional emergency.

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