Traffic simulator tool as reliable effort for environmental estimation at road intersection

In great urban areas, the main source of air pollution is due to traffic-induced emissions. So new computational tool to estimate such emissions and their relationship with the road facility layout are developing. This paper investigates the simulation framework to model the effects of the local air quality on a road operational layout. Indeed, the results of traffic micro simulation are inputs of micro emission model. In particular this paper show the same procedures in terms of eco-simulation considering two micro simulator tool AIMSUN and VISSIM. The purpose is to catch the overlayed features of both and the main accountable evaluation for some different layout at road intersection. Thanks to the micro-simulation it was possible to compute speed, number of stops, queue lengths, CO2 or CO and VOC emissions, etc. Depending on type of the simulated scenario, the usual matrix O/D was divided in two groups (e.g. 10% ecodriving users and 90% standard users). The research findings showed the environmental concentration comparison and the relative adjusting parameters of the car following model using field data. It generates more realistic vehicle activity on arterial segments or at road intersection and improves emissions estimates. AIMSUN tool provides a function called look-ahead model to simulate vehicles that has knowledge of the next following two turns. Instead VISSIM tool defines the number of vehicles ahead and look-ahead distance that a vehicle can see forward in order to react to other vehicles. These different simulation approach, as for example, highlight that the concentration of CO and CO2 at the turbo-roundabout are lower than the other two layout considered (single lane and signalized intersection). It should be due to the lower presence of stop and go like. Final, what has been discussed represents the starting point of a new and interesting way to assess the environmental performances of different intersection schemes, which shall leads with further studies and improvements to a versatile and reliable predictive tool for researchers and practitioners alike in the field of road design