# Comprehensive Review of Traffic Modeling: Towards Autonomous Vehicles
## 6 Simulation Platforms for AV Traffic
### VISSIM (Visual Simulation System)  
VISSIM (Visual Simulation System) is a widely recognized tool in the field of traffic modeling and urban planning, offering detailed microscopic, time-interval, and behavior-based simulations. Its utility spans across various domains, from analyzing urban traffic and public transportation operations to evaluating traffic engineering designs and urban planning solutions. VISSIM's ability to model complex systems, such as lane settings, traffic signals, and bus stops, makes it an effective tool for both researchers and urban planners [238]. One of the key applications of VISSIM has been in modeling and simulating traffic-light-controlled intersections. Studies have demonstrated that using VISSIM can lead to significant improvements in intersection throughput and a reduction in vehicle queue lengths, which are critical factors in urban traffic management [239]. These findings underscore VISSIM's role in optimizing intersection designs and traffic flows, contributing to more efficient urban transportation networks. VISSIM's versatility extends beyond traditional traffic modeling. For example, in the field of education, visual simulation systems, including VISSIM, are used to simulate memory interleaving processes, helping students understand complex systems through hands-on, independent work. This application highlights this tool's broader educational value, illustrating how simulation can be leveraged to enhance learning in various disciplines. In passenger transportation, VISSIM has been utilized to optimize routes and improve the quality of public transport by visualizing passenger flows and employing neural networks for better management [240]. This application demonstrates VISSIM's capacity to integrate advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence, into transportation planning, thereby improving the efficiency and reliability of public transport systems. The development of visual simulation systems like VISSIM involves sophisticated computer graphics and visual communication design principles, which enhance both the aesthetic and functional aspects of simulations. These enhancements are crucial for creating realistic and engaging simulation environments that can effectively support decision making in urban planning and traffic management. Research has also focused on the calibration and validation of VISSIM simulation models to ensure their accuracy and reliability. For instance, [PERSON] et al. [241] conducted a study in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, comparing field data with simulation data to validate the performance of VISSIM models under actual traffic conditions. This work emphasizes the importance of validating simulation results against real-world data to ensure that the models accurately reflect traffic dynamics. In a related study, [PERSON] et al. [242] analyzed the impact of heavy vehicles on traffic flow using VISSIM. This study examined the traffic flow speed and capacity of National Highway 83 in India, utilizing macroscopic fundamental diagrams (MFDs) and a statistical analysis to validate the simulation results. This research highlights the ability of VISSIM to model the specific challenges posed by heavy vehicles in traffic flow, contributing to better traffic management strategies on major roadways. The use of VISSIM to simulate different types of automated vehicles (AVs) has also been explored. [PERSON] et al. [243] reviewed how PTV VISSIM has been calibrated for AV simulations, comparing calibrated values found in the literature with the default values in recent versions of the software. This research is crucial for understanding the differences in modeling AVs and ensuring that simulations accurately reflect the behavior of these emerging technologies. Innovative applications of VISSIM include the integration of the Unity game engine to create a co-simulation platform, as presented by [PERSON] and [PERSON] [244].