PTV VISSIM EXAMPLE DESCRIPTION

PARKING TEMPLATES

Short description
Various templates for modeling perpendicular and diagonal parking spaces.

Objective
This directory includes several Vissim templates to realistically model parking vehicles in
parking lots diagonal or perpendicular to the main road. This includes their reverse
movement out of the parking space. Therefore we take advantage of Vissim's trajectory
feature so that the vehicle looks as if pushed backwards.
One or more of these template files can easily be included in an existing Vissim network
by using the Read Additionally functionality, thus allowing to model larger car parks also.

Modelling Technique
Vissim's routing and parking lot objects are used to direct vehicles into the parking spaces
and to park. A special modeling technique making use of the vehicles trajectory shows
vehicles reversing out of the parking lots upon departure: In Vissim a vehicle is moved
always by pulling it at its front axle, but if the front axle is moved in exactly the opposite
direction than before, then the vehicle does not rotate but simply is pulled at the front axle
but with the rear axle in front - so it looks as if it is reversing. However, the link/connector
geometry must be very precise to prevent the vehicle to move in pirouettes. The key
points are:
the vehicle must be situated parallel to the parking link when parking
the radius of the connector leading out of the parking space must be adapted to fit the
vehicle type (i.e. its distance between the axles).
the links used for the start and end of the reversing part must have a very fine
turnaround, i.e. the link returns in the same direction as it originates from. To achieve
that you need to zoom in a lot further as the max. zoom range with PGUP. This is done
using the toolbar button with the magnifying glass.
Instead of only one include 4 intermediate points at that turning location. 2 points
instead of only one are necessary in order to prevent Vissim from drawing big sharp

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 polygons. The additional 2 intermediate points prevent any network elements placed
on the link to have a distorted shape.
To get the correct direction of travel of the vehicles, a parking lot (or PT stop) is used
to make the vehicle stop at that position inside the link, where the movement of a
vehicle to one direction ends. That means that the end of the parking lot/PT stop
reaches inside the returning part of the link. Here some tests are necessary to find out
the best location. Note that different vehicle types will react slightly differently
(depending on the axle positions).
If the correct placement is found, the vehicle starts already in reverse direction when
leaving the parking lot. It works in the same way at the second turning point where the
vehicle changes from reverse to forward movement. Here a stop sign with a time
distribution is used to model the time it takes to change the gears.
It sometimes is difficult to edit the intermediate points and network objects placed on
such links. Therefore it is recommended to model the reversing part of the link at last.
Access to network objects on the links/connectors is easier by using lists.
Use reduced speed areas and speed decisions to get the correct (slow) speed for
entering and especially reversing.

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