This is an advanced course on transport simulation. It consists of lectures and exercises.
The lectures teach fundamental concepts of simulation and its application in transport. This comprises: taxonomy of simulation approaches, scientific principles and mathematical simulation framework, input data preparation, computer simulation techniques, analysis of simulation outputs. These lectures provide a solid foundation to understand and use transport simulations. The lectures also treat a selection of more specific topics. This comprises: calibration and validation of simulators, experimental design, on-line simulation, simulation-based optimization. These lectures provide the ability to solve complex, real transport problems with simulation.
The exercises investigate several case studies of increasing realism with an operational traffic simulator. The exercises give students practical experience with a real simulation software.
In this course, students obtain fundamental knowledge on the principles and applications of transport simulations.
Transport simulators are complex computer programs that solve complex model systems. The models describe real transport phenomena, such as traffic flow dynamics in urban networks. They are typically solved through mathematical techniques, in particular stochastic simulation methods. Real transport problems are analyzed with free or commercial software implementations of these models and solvers.
After successful completion of the course, students should be able to
- apply the basic principles of simulation;
- interpret and analyze stochastic simulation results;
- select application-specific models and simulation methods;
- collect and use real data to calibrate and validate transport simulators;
- deploy simulations for scenario analysis, prediction, and optimization;
- account for and discuss strengths and weaknesses of different simulation methods.
