Modelling and simulation of urban traffic systems : present and future

The conflict of supply and demand in urban traffic system causes serious problems nowadays owing to rapid urbanisation worldwide, including traffic congestion, air pollution, etc. In this paper, the recent development of modelling and simulation of urban traffic systems is briefly overviewed, where the macro-, micro- and meso-scopic simulation models, especially the micro-scopic models are discussed. Three widely used microscopic traffic simulation models are analysed and the new generation traffic simulation technologies for Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) are discussed from the perspectives of software technology, hardware technology, and methodologies. The existing problems and challenges in modelling and simulation of urban traffic systems are evaluated and the latest trends and the potential solutions are suggested.