I just got version 6... Input a typical single 4 approach fully actuated 2 phase intersection with E/W split phasing. When I run the animation with the default 3 min seed and 10 min record time, it simulates as I would expect. However, I read the manual and it says the seed time should be changed to get the entering/exiting vehicles as close to the same as possible.

After discussing with others who use the program we like the idea of seeding for an hour to view the entire hour of counts but, when we do this the simulation yields completely diff results from the defalt 3 min seed and 10 min record? I will be using for presentation purposes, need to understand how to manipulate the seed/record time to illustate conditions correctly.

Hi,

I would say that the 3 minute seed and the 10 minute simulation work OK to QC and troubleshoot your coding. Once you are comfortable with the operation, I would suggest you increase the simulation period. As you suggest, a 60-minute period is probably the best for cases like this.

To change the intervals, go to the SimTraffic menu Options->Intervals-and-Volumes. Here you will see that you can change the interval periods.

The FHWA has a document on simulation modeling. You can find this at http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/Travel/Traffic_Analysis_Tools/traffic_analysis_toolbox.htm. In particular, refer to Volume III. The appendix has information on setting the seed time.

Thanks,

John.