-
Notifications
You must be signed in to change notification settings - Fork 0
99. Meeting Notes
- Identifying and fixing mistakes in the simulation: The first step is to identify areas of excessive congestion or unrealistic elements in the simulation. The focus should be on optimizing the network to ensure reasonable traffic flow.
- Realistic demand and data: The next step is to obtain the most realistic demand and data for the simulation. This involves gathering relevant data and using scripts and processes to create demand based on real data.
- Defining boundaries: The boundaries of the simulation were discussed, particularly whether it should cover the entire city of Glasgow or just the low emission zone. It was suggested to include neighbouring districts and consider socioeconomic factors when determining the boundaries.
- Creating sidewalks and importing shapefiles: The chat mentioned the need to create sidewalks in the simulation and import shapefiles into SUMO (Simulation of Urban MObility). There was a discussion about difficulties encountered in creating sidewalks and the task of researching how to import shapefiles into SUMO.
- Tasks for further work: It was proposed to research importing shapefiles into SUMO, familiarize oneself with SUMO, and start identifying and solving issues in the network. The idea is to pick specific tasks and discuss typical errors and solutions.
- Learning curve and programming experience: The participants discussed their experiences with SUMO and programming languages. They mentioned the learning curve and the need to familiarise themselves with C++ syntax, as SUMO is based on it.
- During the conversation, participants explored the possibility of implementing a financial penalty system for traffic violations as a means to enforce better road safety practices.
- One concern raised was the potential for individuals to continuously pay the penalty without facing any significant consequences, thus diminishing the effectiveness of the system as a deterrent.
- Discussants acknowledged that integrating traffic modelling with pedestrian behaviour and socioeconomic factors posed a considerable challenge, as it required a comprehensive understanding of human decision-making processes and the complex interplay of various social factors.
- Recognising the need for a holistic approach, participants emphasised the importance of gathering input from diverse groups of people to better understand their behaviour and incorporate these insights into the model.
- There was some scepticism regarding the availability and relevance of public consultations on the topic, as it was uncertain whether public opinion and concerns were being adequately considered in the development of the penalty system.
- To gain insights into potential behavioural responses and assess the impacts on social inequality and health disparities, examples of low-emission zones implemented in other countries were analyzed and evaluated.
- The conversation also touched upon the broader socio-economic factors influencing individuals' ability to relocate, such as rising mortgage rates and housing market instability, which can impact their decision-making process and willingness to comply with the penalty system.
- In order to accurately reflect real-world dynamics, participants suggested incorporating residential location choices and potential segregation into the model, as these factors significantly affect travel patterns and adherence to traffic regulations.
- Funding emerged as a critical consideration for the implementation and further development of the penalty system. Participants stressed the need to secure adequate funding and emphasized the importance of presenting a strong case when applying for financial support.
- The evolving landscape of funding models and the need to adapt to changing circumstances to secure funding for future research projects were discussed, highlighting the importance of long-term sustainability.
- The progress of the model's development was a topic of discussion, with participants mentioning key milestones such as the generation of a detailed map and the addition of pedestrian behaviour to enhance the model's realism.
- Challenges and problems encountered during the coding process were acknowledged, emphasizing the need for iterative improvements and continuous refinement of the model's algorithms and parameters.
- To provide a visual representation of the model's capabilities, a demonstration was given, showcasing a simulation where private vehicles moved dynamically on the road network, mimicking real-world traffic scenarios.
The meeting focused on the integration of health outcomes into traffic modelling, the challenges of pedestrian modelling, data availability, and the selection of representative periods for simulation. The participants expressed their intention to explore various models and datasets to develop a comprehensive simulation framework in SUMO.
Here are the key points covered in the meeting:
The participants discussed the use of simulation models like SUMO (Simulation of Urban Mobility) for traffic flow analysis. They mentioned that SUMO has a pedestrian model based on the social force model, but its functionality is still at an early stage. They also mentioned ongoing efforts to develop additional pedestrian models.
The participants talked about the challenges of obtaining data on pedestrian movements in Glasgow. They mentioned the possibility of using CCTV camera data, which can provide some insights into pedestrian activities, but it has limitations in terms of coverage and quality. They also discussed the potential use of data from a traffic simulation challenge and the integration of this data with emission and dispersion models.
The participants expressed interest in incorporating health outcomes into the traffic modelling process, particularly focusing on the effects of air pollution on pedestrians. They highlighted the need to consider the impact of traffic patterns, emissions, and exposure on health conditions. They acknowledged that this area of research is relatively uncommon, with most traffic engineers primarily focused on traffic flow rather than health-related issues.
The participants discussed their initial goal of comparing the traffic conditions before and after the implementation of Low Emission Zones (LEZ). They considered simulating a typical week, such as a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, as a representative period for the study. They also mentioned the importance of examining the health impacts and inequalities associated with air pollution in urban areas.
The participants briefly discussed the FEM (Fahrzeug-Emissions-Modell) model in SUMO, which provides emission estimates for passenger cars and heavy-duty vehicles. They mentioned that the free version of FEM has limitations in terms of representing the actual vehicle fleet composition, while the paid version offers more flexibility. They also mentioned the possibility of using the HBefa model, a macroscopic emission model, in conjunction with SUMO for emissions estimation.
The participants inquire about the duration it takes to develop a sound and complete traffic simulation model from scratch. The response suggests that within a study project of six months, a good initial representation of Glasgow could be achieved, allowing for further exploration and analysis.
The accuracy of the traffic simulation is emphasised, particularly in relation to manual adjustments and calibration. Realistic traffic simulation is crucial for obtaining reliable results, especially when studying the impact of low emission zones and other measures on traffic flow.
The participants explore potential sources of traffic-related data for the project. Suggestions include approaching the City of Glasgow, and the Department for Transport, and utilising open-source data. They discuss obtaining traffic counts, fleet composition data, and other relevant information to enhance the simulation.
The participants mention submitting a work-in-progress paper to a social simulation conference. They express the desire to receive feedback and incorporate suggestions from the conference into their project. They plan to keep everyone involved and informed of the progress and outcomes.
The conversation briefly touches upon the Glasgow effect, referring to the lower life expectancy and health disparities in certain areas of the city. The project aims to investigate the potential impact of low emission zones on these health issues, considering Glasgow's unique social and economic characteristics.
The participants express their intentions to contact local authorities, seek additional data, and involve a student in the project. They plan to update the project's documentation on the wiki and GitHub, as well as maintain an open line of communication with each other.