New Modeling Components Assist in Evacuation Scenario Simulations

February 12, 2008

Major modeling components that support a variety of evacuation scenario simulations have been developed that include different degrees of traffic control actions. These newly developed components, implemented as a generic-level methodology, are expected to extend the TRANSIMS microsimulation for various emergency evacuation scenarios in many municipalities, including the Chicago Metropolitan Area, where traffic network data are available.

Built upon the existing capabilities of TRANSIMS, the modeling components will be used to suggest means to resolve congestion and secure emergency vehicles’ access during evacuation scenarios. Specifically they will:

• Generate evacuation routes;
• Restrict traffic from entering certain areas at different times of the day; and
• Impose other proactive traffic management actions such as rerouting and constraining the traffic flow.

Evacuation Planning Simulation

Traffic Management Simulation