Understanding Transportation Management Systems Performance with a Simulation-Based Learning Environment

We have developed a simulation-based learning environment to provide systemdesigners and operators with an appreciation of the impact of incidents on
traffic delay. We used an application framework developed at the University
of Maryland for constructing simulation-based learning environments called
SimPLE (Simulated Processes in a Learning Environment). Environments
developed with SimPLE use dynamic simulations and visualizations to represent
realistic time-dependent behavior and are coupled with guidance material and
other software aids that facilitate learning. The simulation allows learners
to close freeway lanes and divert traffic to an arterial road. Users can see
the effect of the detour on freeway and arterial delay. Users can then
adjust signal timing interactively on a time space diagram and watch the
effect of their adjustment on green band changes and on arterial delays and
total delays.