SATURN - A MODERN ASSIGNMENT MODEL

Abstract

Saturn (simulation and assignment of traffic to urban road networks) is a computer model for the analysis and evaluation of traffic management schemes over relatively localised networks. It serves, in effect, as a highly-sophisticated traffic assignment model. It was first described in Traffic Engineering & Control in April 1980 and more recently, in brief, in July/August 1982. This article updates these previous ones by describing recent improvements to the model: two levels of network description to enable wide-ranging impacts to be studied; fuel consumption estimates; explicit bus routes; a correct treatment of over-capacity junctions; a quasi-dynamical assignment facility; graphical outputs; interactive analysis via a vdu; plus a number of miscellaneous improvements. (Author/TRRL)