## 5 Evacuation Modeling Packages
### Mesoscale  
Mesoscale traffic simulation packages arose from a requirement for the amount of detail required by microscale simulation programs as well as the analytical fidelity that macroscale models could not provide. Mesoscale models often show the relative flow of cars over a network link rather than individual lanes. Mesoscale simulation models have been utilized in evacuation planning to depict better congestion situations and time-based impacts than macroscale models while covering a greater area. This feature enables the user to reproduce the congestion and dissipation loops of the previous evacuation to better understand each method's necessity for the next operations. **DYNASMART** is a traffic modeling software on mesoscale that has features to apply dynamic traffic to the road network. This feature gives the operator the ability to forecast where the vehicles are in the road network at specific times rather than only responding to present situations. DYNASMART is available in two varieties: DYNASMART-P 1.0, a standalone simulation software, and DYNASMAT-X, a real-time simulation program with hardware-in-the-loop features. DYNASMART has abilities such as traffic simulation models, which are mostly used for operational traffic studies, and road network applications simulation models, which are mostly used to forecast long-term traffic demands. This software has broader analyzing power compared to macro- or microscale models. This ability is achieved through an explicit explanation of traffic procedures throughout time and a complete demonstration of road networks [73; 74]. Also, this software can present a more detailed decision behavior simulation for evacuees compared to macroscale simulators [75; 76]. **Cube Avenue** ([[https://www.bentley.com/software/cube/](https://www.bentley.com/software/cube/)]([https://www.bentley.com/software/cube/](https://www.bentley.com/software/cube/)), accessed on 1 July 2023) studies traffic flow over time using mesoscopic methods. The researchers defined the input data for this package as time intervals (hours and minutes) and the necessary details required on the inputs, such as vehicles, time, and road networks. The cheapest route for each vehicle unit based on its departure time is computed utilizing these input data. Also, the vehicle's interaction when moving through the network is simulated. This software calculates the vehicle's speed by accounting for the number of vehicles in a certain part of the road in time. Cube Avenue may mimic time-specific rules like variable road pricing or lane closures since it directly represents time. In the Houston-Galveston region, the Cube Avenue product was utilized to assist local planners and authorities in the emergency evacuation process. After Hurricane Rita, which led to the evacuation of 24 million people in 24 h, the authorities used this software to recreate the evacuation process to better understand the system's shortcomings for the next incidents. This software can also create a scenario library by simulating different conditions so that the authorities can react better in case of an accident [77; 78]. **The Transportation Analysis and Simulation System (TRANSIMS)** is a traffic simulation package that considers traffic as a combination of agents or individuals and is mostly used for transportation planning and emission analysis. It comprises simulations, models, and databases that all work together. It offers an integrated regional transportation system study platform combining modern computational and analytical methodologies. The capacity of TRANSIMS to simulate and track individual travel allows for the assessment of benefits to and impacts on various regions and travel markets. TRANSIMS may also assess severely crowded scenarios and operational adjustments on roads and public transportation networks. TRANSIMS' core principles and structure set it apart from past travel demand forecasting solutions.