Comments on Aurora

[Jeff]

Dear All,

I played with Aurora configurator and simulator, and had some initial
thoughts. Please let me know if they make sense or not. Alex just
reminded me that we can download the draft user guide. I will do that
and will have more comprehensive tests.

- Jeff

1. Overall, I am very impressed by the configurator and simulator. I
think
they are great tools for simulation.
2. A general comment: it would be better/helpful (especially from
testing
purposes) if we could have a manual so that I know what features we
have and
do a more comprehensive test.
3 Detailed Comments:
3.1 Configurator
3.1.1 I could edit nodes, but not links. When I clicked on a link, the
link
edit window did not show up.
3.1.2 The "zoom-in", "zoom-out", "pan" function may need further
improvement. In particular, it will be easier to have the buttons for
"return to original size" and "fit to window". Also, it would be nice
if the
"zoom-in" function allows to select a window and then zoom in
appropriately.
3.1.3 The network layout may be further improved, e.g. showing lanes,
traffic control devices, etc. But this may be secondary.
3.1.4 It would be nice if one clicks a node/link from the list on the
left,
the layout window can zoom in to the appropriate node/link.
3.2 Simulator
3.2.1 Same concerns for the "zoom-in", "zoom-out", "pan" buttons.
3.2.2 The simulation results for node/link are only shown in OPENNED
node/link windows. I have to run the simulation again if I want to
see
results for other nodes/links.
3.2.3 Only delay is shown as network wide performance (plus contours
maps
for flow, occ, and speed), I guess it would be easy to generate VMT,
VHT,
etc.
3.2.4 For calibration purposes, the simulator should allow users to
specify
data collection locations and then generate data (e.g. files) for
mainline
volumes, speeds, occ, arterial counts and turning volumes, and travel
times
for specified segments. Required data items for calibration can follow
the
FHWA guideline (sent out by Pravin).

[Alex]

Let me address these comments.

1. Thank you.
2. The manual comes with the distribution that can be downloaded from
http://code.google.com/p/aurorarnm/downloads/list

3.1.1 This problem is fixed in our current version.

3.1.2-4, 3.2.1 I need to look into this to see which of these items
can be implemented.

3.2.2 Yes it is true and it will remain so until we implement database
for storing simulation results.

3.2.3 Most performance measures are shown in a Path window - vht, vmt,
delay, productivity loss.
I think, total network vht, vmt and prod. loss can be added to
network performance. It is relatively easy.

3.2.4 It is an important point. Masterscript is our calibration
utility.
So, we should discuss how to improve the functionality of
Masterscript to include this.

--
Alex.