Ryota Horiguchi

A study of the analytical method for the location planning of charging stations for electric vehicles

This study describes an analytical method for the location planning of charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs). EVs are expected to help CO2 reduction and to improve road environment such as noise level. In this paper, the theoretical framework of the optimum location of charging stations is explained. We assume that the number of charging stations to install and the basic performance are given. This framework has the base of the traffic assignment technique with Stochastic User Equilibrium (SUE) and its optimization will be achieved with the idea of the entropy maximization.

Traffic Simulation with AVENUE

In this chapter, AVENUE (Advanced & Visual Evaluator for road Networks in Urban arEas), the traffic simulation model which was developed in Japan, is described in terms of its traffic modeling and applications. AVENUE is a hybrid traffic simulation in the sense that the flow model is based on the fluid dynamics but the images of displayed vehicles are discrete for the convenience to deal with lane-wise details. AVENUE is normally applied to a small- to middle-size network such as one with 100 intersections. The flow model in AVENUE is detailed as in microscopic models, and it has a route choice function for several different user categories. Since 1992, it has been continuously upgraded so as to include additional functions for some special applications explained in this chapter.

Traffic information provision suitable for TV broadcasting based on macroscopic fundamental diagram from floating car data

This paper describes the feasibility study on the traffic information provision which is suitable for TV broadcasting by using floating car data (FCD). Recent telematics services provide traffic information via on-board car navigation units or portable navigation devices which facilitate interactive use but for limited number of users. On the other hand, the information provision via TV broadcasting has large number of viewer and may seems have significant influence on their travel behaviors especially in the case of singular traffic conditions. However the way of expression of traffic information via broadcasting has limitation in the interaction and the sparse resolution on TV monitors. In this paper, we will propose the mesh-wised traffic indices in terms of the fluidity and the singularity in traffic conditions based on the macroscopic fundamental diagram (MFD) of traffic flows. After the discussion on the theoretical framework, the preliminary studies using taxi probe data in Tokyo will be presented.

Sustainable ITS project overview: mixed reality traffic experiment space under interactive traffic environment for ITS

In this paper, we show the outline of our research on interactive traffic environment, under which we are developing mixed reality traffic experiment space. In order to develop sophisticated ITS applications, it is very important to analyze human factor, but there is few method to obtain human factor, thus, we have decided to create interactive traffic environment under which we can obtain human factors. As the first stage of our research, we have developed mixed reality traffic experiment space. It consists of real observation laboratory part and virtual experiment laboratory part. In the former part, we gather various real raw data to retrieve real environment model. In the later part, we present users more realistic driving environment based on the model. Based on this experiment space, we are going to proceed to the next stages, in which we design and evaluate sustainable ITS applications. For this purpose we have started sustainable ITS project at the university of Tokyo, collaborated among industry, government, and university.

A Study on Car Following Models Simulating Various Adaptive Cruise Control Behaviors

This study aims to develop car following models which simulate various adaptive cruise control (ACC) behaviors for a microscopic traffic simulator. There is a need for a microscopic traffic simulator to evaluate the impact of ACC penetration on highway traffic conditions. If the method of modeling of the simulator follows ACC technology as it is in the real world, the update frequency will be in millisecond order. This may result in an unexpected increase in the calculation time and often spoil the practical use of the simulator. To avoid this situation, it is necessary to develop a car following model which can simulate ACC with sufficient accuracy for impact assessment and which works in sub-second frequency, which is common for many microscopic traffic simulators. This paper outlines the Intelligent Driver Model and its derivations, which have many preferable features. Those model equations are modified to simulate three types of ACC behaviors which retain distance gap, time gap and time headway, and we verified their behaviors through computational platoon experiments with four cars.

The Art of the Utilization of Traffic Simulation Models: How Do We Make Them Reliable Tools?

This paper, firstly, describes the current status of the utilization of traffic simulation models. Evaluation for the model’s application in Japan was based on a questionnaire survey. Secondly, the Best Practice Manual for Simulation Application, which is currently being developed, is discussed. In addition some exerts from the manual in regards to addressing the issues of simulation application are presented: i.e. i) understanding the models’ nature through verification and validation; ii) OD estimation from vehicle counts; iii) model parameter calibration; and iv) indices to measure the reproducibility. Finally this paper introduces the Clearing House of Traffic Simulation Models. These models promote simulation utilization.

An analytical method for intersection entering traffic flow estimation

In this paper, the authors try to provide a simple analytical approach to describe distribution of intersection entering traffics on a grid road network. The approach is a continuous model with explicit structure and free of the need of a detailed OD (Origin-Destination) table. For the purpose of proper road network planning and controls, it is very important to quantify the traffic distribution on a road network. Currently the most widely used approaches can be roughly divided into two types: the static traffic assignment models and the dynamic traffic simulation models, either macroscopic or microscopic ones. However, the traditional models demands very detailed OD information, with inevitable complicated, black-box type of algorithms. As the result, the users often reach to the outputs without knowing the underlying logic behind. The traditional models are all link oriented, except the microscopic analysis, intersections play a trivial role (if any) in the traditional models, despite the fact that intersections rather than basic sections of road links, decide the performance of urban road networks in modern cities. In this paper we assume the passing probability of an intersection equals to the utilization of the intersection in the routes between OD pairs within a road network. Under this assumption, an explicit analytical model is developed to describe the distribution of traffic within a grid network by a single pair of OD, firstly a discrete model and followed by a continuous model that can be subjected to the method of integral in the future. Finally we use a proved commercial simulation model to validate the proposed approach. Our approach can be regarded as a simplified estimation method of traffic distribution and this work is also helpful for the researches on the road network density. Through this research the authors do not consider about the influence of congestion since our objective is limited to the planning stage only.