APPLICATION OF TRAF-NETSIM, SOAP, PASSER II, AND TRANSYT-7F IN DELAWARE

This report is about how to use different traffic signal softwares to analyze the traffic signal systems (network and isolated intersections) on the different roads in the state of Delaware. Currently Delaware has a master plan to operate and coordinate all the traffic signals and monitor them from the Transportation Management Center (TMC). Delaware has more than 250 mi (402 km) of major roads and arterials and the authority wants to increase the mobility and flow of vehicles in these intersections (signals) through better coordination and monitoring of all the traffic signals. In this report four popular traffic signal softwares are discussed, with how they work and how they can be used in the State of Delaware traffic signal operation. The traffic signal softwares are: SOAP 84 (Signal Operations Analysis Package); PASSER II-90 (Progression Analysis and Signal System Evaluation Routine); TRANSYT-7F (Traffic Network Study Tool, Version 7F); and TRAF-NETSIM (Traffic Network Simulation). The report is divided into four parts. The first part is the detailed discussion of the working principals and operating system of SOAP 84, and how it can be used for the analysis of isolated intersections. The report also contains the analysis of an isolated intersection in the Kirkwood Highway and detailed discussion of the outputs. The second part is about the use of PASSER II for the analysis of arterials. This software can analyze coordinated traffic signal systems, and the report contains the detailed description of how to use and operate the program. The report also contains the analysis of four intersections in the Kirkwood highway. Analysis of the output is also discussed, and a detailed output of the program follows the report. The third part discusses the use of TRANSYT-7F, with detailed discussion about how it can be used for the analysis of traffic signal network systems in Delaware. This is a coordinated signal operation software and it not only optimizes the network but also simulates the existing traffic signal system. The same four intersections of the Kirkwood Highway are analyzed and the report contains the output of the program with its analysis. The fourth part contains detailed discussion about the TRAF-NETSIM program and how it can be used for the analysis of traffic signal systems in a network. A portion of the Kirkwood Highway is analyzed, and detailed output and the analysis of the output are contained in the report. The software also provides detailed animation of the network by showing the movement of all the traffic and provides the measures of effectiveness of all the roads in the network. The use of a combination of softwares will give the optimized use of the traffic signals. Through proper monitoring and coordination with real time traffic operation, it is possible to get the optimum use of the traffic signal systems, which will increase mobility and reduce congestion in all the intersections.