Quadstone Paramics
Encyclopedia
Paramics is traffic microsimulation software developed by Quadstone Paramics. Quadstone Paramics also develops pedestrian microsimulation software called the Urban Analytics Framework.
and was further developed as a project by the Edinburgh Parallel Computing Centre[], based at the University of Edinburgh
.
By the mid 1990s, some of the project staff left to form Quadstone Limited. A partnership was formed between Quadstone Limited and SIAS but was quickly dissolved in 1998 as both parties could not agree on the direction of the partnership.
In 2005, Quadstone was acquired by Portrait Software. Today, Quadstone Paramics operates as an autonomous division within Pitney Bowes Business Insight
.
.
A Paramics model is represented by a combination of “nodes, links and other associated objects” to replicate real life geometry constraints. Upon release from an “origin zone”, each vehicle attempts to complete its journey towards a “destination zone” whilst being bounded by physical and dynamic vehicle parameters.
Through the use of microsimulation
, Paramics allows users to simulate individual vehicle movements to predict future travel pattern behaviour as a result from a change in traffic volume or geometric road layout.
which is based on an aggregated representation of traffic, microsimulation allows for real time vehicle movement and is able to simulate queuing conditions for congested networks.
The software is used by government agencies, consultancies and universities for the purpose of simulating and analyzing existing traffic and transportation problems. The software has been designed to handle various scenarios which include:
designs to investigate road safety issues and to quantify potential conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians.
The software is used by the public and private sector to conduct shared space designs between vehicle and pedestrian interaction [20]. The software has been designed to simulate different pedestrian scenarios which include:
Background
The Paramics project was originally established in the early 1990s by the UK Department for TransportDepartment for Transport
In the United Kingdom, the Department for Transport is the government department responsible for the English transport network and a limited number of transport matters in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland which are not devolved...
and was further developed as a project by the Edinburgh Parallel Computing Centre[], based at the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
.
By the mid 1990s, some of the project staff left to form Quadstone Limited. A partnership was formed between Quadstone Limited and SIAS but was quickly dissolved in 1998 as both parties could not agree on the direction of the partnership.
In 2005, Quadstone was acquired by Portrait Software. Today, Quadstone Paramics operates as an autonomous division within Pitney Bowes Business Insight
MapInfo
MapInfo Corporation, initially incorporated as Navigational Technologies Incorporated, was a leading Location Intelligence and GIS company, headquartered in North Greenbush, New York. It was acquired on April 19, 2007 by Pitney Bowes, and on January 28, 2009, the name of division of Pitney Bowes it...
.
Concept
Paramics was created from scratch based on several models and mainly on the paper “A model for traffic simulation” by Hans-Thomas Fritzsche. Paramics uses the car-following and lane-changing model to show the correlation of numerical data for road networks under differing conditions through the use of computer graphicsComputer graphics
Computer graphics are graphics created using computers and, more generally, the representation and manipulation of image data by a computer with help from specialized software and hardware....
.
A Paramics model is represented by a combination of “nodes, links and other associated objects” to replicate real life geometry constraints. Upon release from an “origin zone”, each vehicle attempts to complete its journey towards a “destination zone” whilst being bounded by physical and dynamic vehicle parameters.
Through the use of microsimulation
Microsimulation
-Introduction:Microsimulation is a category of computerized analytical tools that perform highly detailed analysis of activities such as highway traffic flowing through an intersection, financial transactions, or pathogens spreading disease through a population...
, Paramics allows users to simulate individual vehicle movements to predict future travel pattern behaviour as a result from a change in traffic volume or geometric road layout.
Traffic simulation
Compared to traditional empirical modellingEmpirical modelling
Empirical modelling refers to any kind of modelling based on empirical observations rather than on mathematically describable relationships of the system modelled.-EM:...
which is based on an aggregated representation of traffic, microsimulation allows for real time vehicle movement and is able to simulate queuing conditions for congested networks.
The software is used by government agencies, consultancies and universities for the purpose of simulating and analyzing existing traffic and transportation problems. The software has been designed to handle various scenarios which include:
- Freeways and Highways
- Traffic EngineeringTraffic engineeringTraffic engineering can mean:* traffic engineering , a branch of civil engineering* teletraffic engineering, a field of statistical techniques used in telecommunications...
- Roundabouts and Complex JunctionsJunction (road)A road junction is a location where vehicular traffic going in different directions can proceed in a controlled manner designed to minimize accidents. In some cases, vehicles can change between different routes or directions of travel.-Origins:...
- Toll Plazas
- Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS)
- Public TransportPublic transportPublic transport is a shared passenger transportation service which is available for use by the general public, as distinct from modes such as taxicab, car pooling or hired buses which are not shared by strangers without private arrangement.Public transport modes include buses, trolleybuses, trams...
- Environment and Emissions
Pedestrian simulation
The Urban Analytics Framework is a microsimulation software developed to simulate pedestrian behavior in real world environments. The software is used in shared spaceShared space
Shared space is an urban design concept aimed at integrated use of public spaces. It encourages traffic engineers, urban planners and experts from other fields to consult with users of public space when planning and designing streets and squares in both built and non-built environments...
designs to investigate road safety issues and to quantify potential conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians.
The software is used by the public and private sector to conduct shared space designs between vehicle and pedestrian interaction [20]. The software has been designed to simulate different pedestrian scenarios which include:
- Safety and Accident Prevention
- Pedestrian crossingPedestrian crossingA pedestrian crossing or crosswalk is a designated point on a road at which some means are employed to assist pedestrians wishing to cross. They are designed to keep pedestrians together where they can be seen by motorists, and where they can cross most safely across the flow of vehicular traffic...
Facilities - Public TransportPublic transportPublic transport is a shared passenger transportation service which is available for use by the general public, as distinct from modes such as taxicab, car pooling or hired buses which are not shared by strangers without private arrangement.Public transport modes include buses, trolleybuses, trams...
terminals - Special events
- Shared spaceShared spaceShared space is an urban design concept aimed at integrated use of public spaces. It encourages traffic engineers, urban planners and experts from other fields to consult with users of public space when planning and designing streets and squares in both built and non-built environments...
design
Literature
- Henry X. Liu, Wenteng Ma, Jeff X. Ban & Pitu Mirchandani “Dynamic Equilibrium Assignment with Microscopic Traffic Simulation” IEEE Conference on Intelligent Transportation Systems, Vienna, Austria, September 13–16, 2005 PDF
- Henry X. Liu, Lianyu Chu, & Will Recker . “Dynamic Path-Based Equilibrium Assignment With Microscopic Traffic Simulation”. UC Berkeley: California Partners for Advanced Transit and Highways (PATH) (2005). http://escholarship.org/uc/item/5cp244f4
- Henry X. Liu, Lianyu Chu, Michael McNally & Will Recker. "Development of the Capability-Enhanced PARAMICS Simulation Environment". UC Berkeley: California Partners for Advanced Transit and Highways (PATH) (2005). http://escholarship.org/uc/item/5df164mw
- Timothy Oketch, Ph.D., Mike Delsey & Doug Robertson. “Evaluation of performance of modern roundabouts using paramics micro-simulation model”. TAC 2004 Annual Conference, Quebec City, September 19 to 22, 2004 PDF
- Reinaldo C. Garcia. “Implementing A Dynamic O-D Estimation Algorithm within the Microscopic Traffic Simulator Paramics”. UC Berkeley: California Partners for Advanced Transit and Highways (PATH)( 2002). http://escholarship.org/uc/item/0n62j6nq
- Henry X. Liu, Lianyu Chu, & Will Recker. “Paramics API Development Document for Actuated Signal, Signal Coordination and Ramp Control”. UC Berkeley: California Partners for Advanced Transit and Highways (PATH) (2000).. http://escholarship.org/uc/item/5j4615sw
- Choon Heon Yang & Amelia Regan. “Prioritization of Potential Alternative Truck Management Strategies Using the Analytical Hierarchy Process” Transportation Research Board 88th Annual Meeting, Washington DC, 11 jan – 15 January 2009
- Mohamed A Abdel-Aty & Vikash Gayah. “Comparison of Two Different Ramp Metering Algorithms for Real-Time Crash Risk Reduction” Transportation Research Board 87th Annual Meeting, Washington DC, 13–17 January 2008
- Mohamed A Abdel-Aty & Vikash Gayah. “Route Diversion as Real-Time Crash Prevention Strategy on Urban Freeways” Transportation Research Board 87th Annual Meeting, Washington DC, 13–17 January 2008
- Hoda Talaat, Mohamed Masoud & Baher Abdulhai. “Simple Mixed Reality Infrastructure for Experimental Analysis of Route Choice Behavior: Applications of Intelligent Transportation Systems” Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, Volume 2086 / 2008
- Kanok Boriboonsomsin & Matthew Barth. “Impacts of freeway high-occupancy vehicle lane configuration on vehicle emissions” Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment Volume 13, Issue 2, March 2008, Pages 112-125