Simulation and Capacity Analysis User Group (SimCap)

Chair: Eric Tripi, GHD, Farmington Hills, MI, USA
Vice Chair: Christopher Melson, Louisiana Local Technical Assistance Program, Baton Rounge, LA, USA

About Us

Background

The ITE Simulation and Capacity Analysis Committee (SimCap) was created to improve the application and understanding of traffic simulation and capacity analysis – and is open to all persons with interest or experience in these and related practice areas.

SimCap was founded in June 2006 under NCSITE as a technical users group within their local traffic engineering council. Since then, several SimCap chapters have formed. Some chapters have waned and have become inactive, while others continue to meet and foster strong dialogues within their local areas of activity. Currently, there are nine (9) active SimCap chapters across the United States and Canada and a Discussion Forum on the ITE e-community.

Mission Statement

SimCap is a volunteer network of professionals working across geographic and organizational boundaries to share information, experiences, and to disseminate, promote, and develop guidance and best practices in the application of traffic simulation and capacity analysis tools, methods, and related practice areas.

Goals

The main Goals of SimCap are to:

1. Provide a forum for meaningful exchange of ideas, research, questions, and trends;
2. Serve as a resource for practitioners and organizations by sharing experiences and developing guidance and best practices; and
3. Advocate for consistency, reliability, and advances in the state-of-the-practice.

Chapters

SimCap is a “grassroots” organization – in that the majority of activities are organized and conducted at the local chapter level. Currently, there are nine (9) active SimCap chapters (see map below). Each chapter is organized differently, tailored to best suit their local needs. However, the majority of chapters are associated with their local ITE section.

Get Involved! Contact your listed representative below to learn how to get involved in your local chapter. If you don’t have a local chapter, consider creating one! The attached kit provides helpful information on how to start a chapter. You may also contact Eric Tripi for further resources and assistance.

California
ITE San Diego Transportation and Mobility Task Force

Contact:

Erik Ruehr (VRPA Technologies)
Visit website

Canada
SimCap Toronto

Contact:

Matthew Davis (City of Toronto)

Louisiana
SimCap Louisiana

Contact:

Christopher Melson (ODOT)
Visit website

Minnesota
NCITE Simulation and Capacity Analysis Committee

Contact

Kelsey Retherford (Bolton & Menk)

Sharijad Hasan (NDSU) 
Visit website

North Carolina
NCSITE SimCap User Group

Contact:

Zachary Bugg (Kittelson and Associates)
Soheil Sajjadi (Arcadis)
Visit website

Oregon
Oregon ITE SimCap Roundtable

Contact:

Anders Hart (DKS Associates)

Ali Razmpa (Kittelson & Associates) 
Visit website

Virginia
Virginia SimCap

Contact:
Sanhita Lahiri (VDOT)
No active website

Washington DC
WDCSITE SimCap Committee

Contact:

Alvaro Calle (VHB)

Seongah Hong (HNTB)

George Lu (HNTB)

Wisconsin
ITE Wisconsin SimCap Users Group

Contact:

Rob Beuthling (HNTB)
Visit website

Calendar

The following calendar contains a comprehensive listing of upcoming SimCap-related events. It includes applicable: SimCap chapter meetings, research webinars/workshops, software training, and other informational, practitioner-led sessions.

NCSITE Simcap and Safety Joint User Group Meeting

9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Sedgefield Country Club

3201 Forsyth Dr

Greensboro, NC 2740

Register here for the meeting.

If you would like an event included on the calendar, please contact Christopher Melson.

Resources

The following list of resources contain national and State DOT guidance documents, past and current SimCap-related research efforts, other technical resources, and a useful list of websites.

Please contact Eric Tripi if you have suggestions on materials to be added to this section.

Looking for advice? Consider joining the SimCap e-Community – where you can pose questions to fellow transportation professionals, gain insight through discussion, and access additional resources posted by members.

National Guidance

FHWA Traffic Analysis Toolbox

• Volume I: Traffic Analysis Tools Primer (2004)
• Volume II: Decision Support Methodology for Selecting Traffic Analysis Tools (2004)
• Volume III: Guidelines for Applying Traffic Microsimulation Modeling
  • Original version (2004)
  • Updated version (2019); YouTube videos (2019)
• Volume IV: Guidelines for Applying CORSIM Microsimulation Modeling Software (2007)
• Volume V: Traffic Analysis Toolbox Case Studies - Benefits and Applications (2004)
• Volume VI: Definition, Interpretation, and Calculation of Traffic Analysis Tools Measures of Effectiveness (2007)
• Volume VII: Predicting Performance with Traffic Analysis Tools (2008)
• Volume VIII: Work Zone Modeling and Simulation - A Guide for Decision-Makers (2008)
• Volume IX: Work Zone Modeling and Simulation - A Guide for Analysts (2009)
• Volume X: Localized Bottleneck Congestion Analysis Focusing on What Analysis Tools Are Available, Necessary and Productive for Localized Congestion Remediation (2010)
• Volume XI: Weather and Traffic Analysis, Modeling and Simulation (2010)
• Volume XII: Work Zone Traffic Analysis – Applications and Decision Framework
• Volume XIII: Integrated Corridor Management Analysis, Modeling, and Simulation Guide
  • Original version (2012)
  • Updated version (2017)
• Volume XIV: Guidebook on the Utilization of Dynamic Traffic Assignment in Modeling (2012)

Other National Guidance

• Trajectory Investigation for Enhanced Calibration of Microsimulation Models (2021)
• Active Transportation and Demand Management (ATDM) Analytical Methods for Urban Streets (2017)
• Guide for Highway Capacity and Operations Analysis of Active Transportation and Demand Management Strategies (2013)
• Guide on The Consistent Application of Traffic Analysis Tools and Methods (2011)
• Scoping and Conducting Data-Driven 21st Century Transportation System Analyses (2017)
• Using Modeling and Simulation Tools for Work Zone Analysis (2009)

State DOT Guidance

• Arizona DOT Traffic Volume Projections and Operational Analysis (2005)
• CalTrans Guidelines for Applying Traffic Microsimulation Modeling Software (2002)
• Colorado DOT Traffic Analysis and Forecasting G
• Florida DOT Traffic Analysis Handbook (2021)
• Florida DOT Traffic Forecasting Handbook (2019)
• Georgia DOT VISSIM Simulation Guidance (2021)
• Georgia DOT VISSIM Reviewer Guidance Modules (2020)
• Indiana DOT Synchro Review Checklist
• Indiana DOT Intersection Traffic Analysis Procedures (2023)
• Iowa DOT Microsimulation Guidance (2017)
• Kentucky DOT Microsimulation Modeling Guidelines (2021)
• Louisiana DOTD Traffic Analysis Guidance
• Maryland SHA Modeling VISSIM Modeling Guidance (2017)
• Nevada DOT CORSIM Modeling Guidelines (2012)
• Nevada DOT Aimsun Next Modeling Guidelines (2018)
• North Carolina Congestion Management Resources
• Ohio DOT Analysis and Traffic Simulation (OATS) Manual (2023)
• Oregon DOT Analysis Procedures Manual [Chapter 15 (2020)] [Protocol for Vissim Simulation (2011)]
• Pennsylvania DOT Traffic Engineering Manual (2014)
• Tennessee DOT Simulation Calibration Parameters (upcoming)
• Texas DOT Traffic and Safety Analysis Procedures Manual (2023)
• Utah DOT Traffic Modeling Guidelines
• Virginia DOT Traffic Operations and Safety Analysis Manual (2020)
• Virginia DOT VISSIM User Guide (2020)
• WSDOT Traffic Analysis Resources

SimCap Research Efforts

National Research

FHWA AMS Research Projects

• Emerging Data Cleaning and Fusion for Traffic Model Calibration (on-going)

Other National Research Projects

• Practices for Operational Traffic Simulation Models (NCHRP, on-going)
• Transportation System Simulation Manual: First Edition (TRB, on-going)
• Traffic Analysis Capability Maturity Framework (FHWA, on-going)

Other Technical Resources (By Topic Area)

Dynamic Traffic Assignment

• CDOT Dynamic Traffic Assignment (DTA) Implementation Plan (CDOT, 2022)
• Methodology for Calibration and Validation of Mesoscopic Traffic Simulation Models (VTRC, 2021)
• A Practical Guide on DTA Model Applications for Regional Planning (FHWA, 2016)
• AMPO Travel Modeling Working Group Meeting on Dynamic Traffic Assignment (FHWA, 2016)
• Dynamic Traffic Assignment: A Primer (TRB, 2011)
• Advanced Practices in Travel Forecasting (NCHRP, 2010)
• Foundation of Dynamic Traffic Assignment (DTA) Workshops (FHWA, upon request)

Multiresolution Modeling

• Multiresolution Modeling for Traffic Analysis: Guidebook (FHWA, 2022)
• Multiresolution Modeling for Traffic Analysis: Case Studies Report (FHWA, 2022)
• Multiresolution Modeling for Traffic Analysis: State-of-Practice and Gap Analysis Report (FHWA, 2021)
• Framework for Multi-Resolution Analyses of Advanced Traffic Management Strategies (FDOT, 2016)

Useful Websites

National Partners

• FHWA Traffic Analysis Tools
• FHWA Traffic Analysis, Modeling, and Simulation Pooled Fund
• TRB Traffic Simulation Committee
• FHWA Traffic Analysis Tools

Software Vendors

• Aimsun
• Bentley
• Caliper
• Citilabs
•  
• McTrans
• Metropia
• PTV Group
• Trafficware

Your Chance to Contribute

Consider contributing your time and talents to our profession by becoming involved in SimCap! If you want to get involved but are not sure how to do it, feel free to contact the chair, Eric Tripi. We have small but very important roles just waiting to be taken upon. The first step, if you haven’t already, is to join Simcap!

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