In this short video, we explain how to use View Modes in the capacity calibration process to model bottlenecks more realistically in Aimsun Next transport modelling software.
Summary: The video begins by demonstrating the use of View Modes to model bottlenecks, specifically in a highway scenario that involves a reduction from three lanes to two lanes. For better visualization, the Polyline and Text tools are used to sketch the distances upstream from the bottleneck, followed by labeling the upstream sections.
To identify major accelerations upstream from the bottleneck, accelerations greater or less than 1 m/s² are visualized. To further analyze longitudinal behavior, a new mode called CALIBRATION: Merging is created by right-clicking on View Modes. New View Styles such as Acceleration (Color) and Acceleration (Attribute) are added, and the most important parameters are placed in a Text box for a better overview.
The View Mode is then turned on to study driving behavior under various traffic flow regimes. The total number of lane changes upstream from the bottleneck is visualized by adding a section Dynamic Attribute ‘Total Number of Lane Changes’ represented by ‘Color’. A condition is added to limit the View Mode to the sections upstream of the bottleneck. The same technique is used to add ‘Color opacity’ and ‘Attribute’ View Styles to the View Mode.
To compare outputs, statistical intervals are switched between, and Real Data Sets are added. Finally, national guidelines are followed to validate the simulated bottleneck capacities.