FHWA Next Generation Simulation NGSIM Program

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FHWA Next Generation Simulation (NGSIM) Program
2007 TRB Planning Applications
Conference Daytona, FL May 7, 2007 James
Colyar, P.E. Highway Research Engineer Federal
Highway Administration
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FHWA Role in Operations Traffic Analysis

• Assessed user needs and current simulation
  market
• Viable market in traffic simulation packages
• Still gaps in functionality that require
  algorithm development
• Users not sure how valid the models are, or how
  they compute their results black box
• FHWA decision
• Maintain a strong presence and role in traffic
  simulation
• Do not compete with private sector software
  development market instead act as market
  facilitator
• Provide open, freely distributed products to
  benefit entire traffic community users,
  developers, researchers

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NGSIM Goals

• Improve the quality, trust, and use of simulation
  tools
• Foster an environment of public-private
  cooperation
• Influence and stimulate the commercial modeling
  market
• Improve transportation decision-making

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NGSIM End Products

• Develop a core of microscopic driver behavior
  algorithms
• Core model algorithms, not GUI or data
  processing/tools
• Open source for free public use
• Supporting documentation and validation data
• Collect high quality data sets to support
  algorithm development
• Open source for free public use
• Supporting documentation and validation data

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NGSIM Pathway to Success
Data Collection
Algorithm Development
Impact on Commercial Simulation Market
Better Transportation Investment Decisions
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NGSIM Stakeholder Groups

• Traffic Modelers
• Represent researchers and others that develop
  theoretical models
• Software Developers
• Represent private vendors responsible for
  development of commercial software
• Model Users
• Represent end users of simulation tools (i.e.,
  state DOTs, local agencies, consultants)
• Roughly 15 members in each group, with a
  diversity in backgrounds and geographic locations
  (strong international participation)

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Role of NGSIM Stakeholders

• Identify research needs based on current tool
  deficiencies
• Help shape the program plan and high-level
  blueprint documents
• Serve on Expert Panels for individual algorithm
  research efforts
• Specific roles
• Modelers Participate in developing new driver
  behavior algorithms
• Developers Validate and incorporate new
  algorithms
• Users Use improved simulation models

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Engaging Stakeholder Participation

• NGSIM Stakeholder meetings at TRB Annual Meeting
• Periodic additional Stakeholder meetings,
  webinars, and teleconferences
• Regular Expert Panel teleconferences for each
  algorithm development effort
• Web Discussion Forum on NGSIM website
• All NGSIM products are openly available on NGSIM
  website 630 downloads of Freeway Lane Selection
  algorithm as of March 2007

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NGSIM Community Components
Constraints
Funding
Organizational
Outputs
Inputs
NGSIM Website
Tool Shortcomings
Core Algorithms
Candidate Algorithms
Datasets
Candidate Datasets
Research Needs
NGSIM Tools
NGSIM Community Members
Resources
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NGSIM Community Components (cont.)
Organizational
Funding
Constraints
FHWA Direction
FHWA NGSIM
Outputs
Inputs
NGSIM Website
Tool Shortcomings
Core Algorithms
FHWA/Contractor
Candidate Algorithms
Datasets
Candidate Datasets
Research Needs
Algorithm Development Dataset Collection (FHWA
NGSIM Funded)
NGSIM Tools
NGSIM Community Members
Resources
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Keys to NGSIM Community

• Define the roles and responsibilities for core
  functions (identifying needs, managing assets,
  facilitation)
• Maintain frequent and open communication,
  including deliverables
• Determine an incentive for all community members
• Find win-win situations
• Provide a neutral playing field

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Web Site http//ngsim.fhwa.dot.gov

• Using the site
• Register, via the front page
• View the documents section for relevant
  downloads
• Check the site weekly for news and events
  updates
• Participate in discussion forum