Modeling/Agent-based modeling: Traffic modeling

Title:

Parallel Controlled Automated Traffic Environment

Objective:

The objective is to create a dynamic parallel system to simulate an environment
with automated traffic control.

Justification:

Forty thousands Americans die in the over six million car crashes each year. The 
source of accidents is human error. This project creates an environment with no 
place for human error. By incorporating all vehicles into a single program, traffic 
accidents will become nonexistent. Research at Carnegie Mellon University shows 
that over one-third of all traffic fatalities result from single-vehicle accidents; an 
example is vehicle speed that surpasses wheel performance, resulting in lose of 
friction in turning. Computer control of vehicle movement will maximize the 
performance of the motor vehicle while maintaining the utmost safety of the 
passengers. Over the years, traffic congestion has become an increasing dilemma. 
Automated control of vehicles optimizes traffic flow, dilutes traffic jams and allows 
for better commute. An example of usage for this program is in the case of 
emergency vehicles. All other vehicles in the path of the emergency vehicle will be 
directed to open a passage for the emergency vehicle. The program will then direct 
the vehicle through the open path, permitting the vehicle to reach its destination 
much faster.

Description:

The whole scale of automated traffic would require automated cars to be 
incorporated into the computer-operated program. An algorithm will be made to 
determine right-of-way and vehicle priority, in the case of emergency vehicles. 
Each vehicle will accept user input for it’s destination and the program will decide 
on the most efficient course of travel using factors such as time allowed and fuel 
remaining. This program will assume all sensors of the vehicles are functioning and 
will return the information needed for the program’s algorithm to run. Multiple 
processing units will also optimize the operation of the system allowing for 
real-time performance

Limitations:

A project of this magnitude consists of a great number of individual sections. For an 
automated traffic-controlling program to run perfectly, all cases of traffic must be 
anticipated and prepared for. During the time period of one school year, there is not 
enough time to complete all aspects of this program. There is also anticipated 
problem with the algorithm itself. It must be able to calculate both the shortest and 
the most time efficient route to certain destinations, as well as decide priority of 
vehicles. The time span of project is not likely to allow both the program and the 
incorporation of automated vehicles, therefore one aspect of the project will be 
discarded.