Development of VISSIM generator based on OpenStreetMap

Abstract

VISSIM is a popular tool for traffic simulation. Before the simulation can be started, a model of the road network must be created which is a mostly manual and therefore tedious and time-consuming process. We present a VISSIM model generator which reduces the time spend for this task considerably. The generator creates a VISSIM model from an OpenStreetMap (OSM) file, which can be used by engineers as a skeletal structure. It creates all links, connectors, desired speed decisions, reduced speed areas and vehicle routes in a chosen area. Then the engineers can directly start with the parameterization.
The architecture of the generator is client server based. This means the user chooses in his browser an area on the OSM map. Then this information goes to the generator. Consecutively, the generator loads the map data from the OSM server and processes them to a VISSIM model, which the user can then download. To add more valuable information, the generator will be extended to include hold lines recognized on aerial images. The evaluation shows, that using the generator saves some hours to the users.