Transportation Systems Simulation - A Tutorial for Multi-Modal Simulation Using VISSIM/Simulation

Before running a simulation, assure that each previous section has been implemented. The following section is the most basic method of extracting simulation data from VISSIM.

  1. Identify where the simulation data will be saved by selecting Evaluation > Configuration from the top toolbar (see Figure below)
  2. Click the “…” button and select the location/folder as your desired output directory
  3. Click OK
  4. Click OK


Set the “Simulation Parameters” by selecting Simulation > Parameters from the top toolbar (see Figure below)

Period = 10800 for 3 hours or 7200 for 2 hours
Simulation resolution = 10
Random Seed = Random #
Number of runs = 1
Simulation speed = maximum
Number of cores = use all cores

Click OK


TIP: Higher “Simulation resolution” values will result in smother simulations while requiring more resources. Consider changing the seed to avoid similar results.


VISSIM Tutorial-Evaluation and Simulation Configuration
VISSIM Tutorial-Evaluation and Simulation Configuration


  1. Select the “Data Collection Measurement” tab below the Network Editor
  2. Click the “Autosave after simulation” button


TIP: To manually save simulation data, Click the “Save to file” button located left of the “Autosave” button


  1. On the top toolbar, Select Simulation > Continuous …sit back and watch the simulation run (see Figure below)
    • If VISSIM prompts the user to “Save changes?” Click Yes
  2. While the simulation is running, make a note of the following vehicular characteristics:
    • Vehicles are entering and exiting through the appropriate locations
    • HGV are generated by the simulation
    • Look for unusual behavior (stuck vehicles, merging issues, disappearing vehicles, unused lanes, connector issues …)
  3. Watch the entire simulation carefully, zoom in and out to locate trouble areas
  4. Let the entire simulation finish to automatically save the results
  5. Values will being to generate in the “Data Collection Measurement” window as the simulation runs
VISSIM Tutorial-Running a Simulation
VISSIM Tutorial-Running a Simulation



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