Microscopic traffic simulation Leuven Ringroad
18048
From 2019 to 2020
Commissioned by the Agency for Roads and Traffic and De Lijn, TML analysed the impact of a concept design for High-Quality Public Transport on the traffic situation around Leuven. Using the Vissim microsimulation model, TML optimised the traffic flow in the HQPT design.
Commissioned by the Agency for Roads and Traffic Vlaams-Brabant (AWV) and De Lijn, TML carried out a traffic study of the Leuven ring road (R23). In this study, we analysed for a concept design for High-quality Public Transport (HOV) what the effect would be on the traffic situation for car traffic, public transport, and active road users on the Leuven ring road and on the incoming regional roads. The goal here was not to arrive at a tested plan of implementation, but rather to evaluate and locally optimise the present HOV concept design. In a subsequent phase, AWV will use the results of this study, among others, to design specific road sections and junctions along and around the R23.
For this study, TML used the software package Vissim to build a microsimulation model for Leuven. We then designed dynamic lighting schemes for the current infrastructure according to the principle of maximum conflict-free. This scenario served as a benchmark for comparison with the future scenarios of the HOV concept design. Specific light schemes with flexible public transport influence were also designed for these future scenarios. Thanks to TML's optimisation proposals to improve traffic flow in the HOV design, overall loss times were reduced by about 40% in the microsimulation for both car traffic and public transport.
