The effectivity of new traffic-technologies and transportation-systems in suburban areas and on motorways

At the Forschungsgesellschaft Kraftfahrwesen mbH Aachen (fka) the submicroscopic traffic simulation program PELOPS (Program for the dEvelopment of Longitudinal micrOscopic traffic Processes in a Systemrelevant environment) was developed in co-operation with the BMW AG. It simulates the traffic flow on motorways with a specific view on vehicle affairs. One application for PELOPS was the assessment of ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) systems inside the PROMETHEUS program. A new research period extends the use of ACC about the functionality to urban areas. This requires an extension of PELOPS to include some specific models. With this extension, it is possible to analyse new traffic technologies for individual vehicles or infrastructure. Based on detailed traffic measurements, different scenarios are simulated to improve the traffic flow and to relieve the environment. These scenarios include ACC systems, inter-vehicle-communication and intelligent traffic lights. Another actual application is the analysis of the influence of new road trains (extra-long trucks with increased speed and enhanced braking-capabilities) on traffic-flow and driving safety on German motorways. The paper gives detailed information about the simulation techniques and the results of the current analysis.