# A Comparative Study on Traffic Modeling Techniques for Predicting and Simulating Traffic Behavior
## 5 Traffic Simulation Models
### Traffic Simulation Tools  
In this section, we limit the focus to the most used simulation tools in the traffic modeling literature, where we explore the state of the art of these simulation tools and discuss their functionalities and characteristics. A number of criteria, such as the nature of  
Figure 6: Basic lane-change model. the tool (e.g., free, open source, or commercial) and functional capabilities of the simulator, are addressed in this section [7]. * SIMulationsmodell (VISSIM) is a commercial microscopic traffic simulation tool developed by Planning Transport Verkehr in Karlsruhe, Germany [77]. VISSIM is one of the common simulation tools used to simulate and evaluate traffic status and transportation control systems. It can simulate different elements such as buses, trucks, pedestrians, and bicycles. VISSIM uses the component object model (COM) interface, which enables users to create and deploy a custom tool in VISSIM using C++, Visual Basic, or Python [54]. The latest versions of VISSIM incorporate additional autonomous vehicle-related features (communication and cooperation among vehicles) and detailed behavior specifications. The aforementioned features will utilize cooperation in lane changing and advanced merging algorithms for enhanced traffic network scaling. In this simulator, smaller headways have been chosen to model the cooperation among vehicles. Other add-on features are the new means of mobility that have also been introduced within the VISSIM simulator, which include cooperative autonomous vehicles (CAVs) and mobility as a service (MAAS) [78]. VISSIM is a microscopic traffic simulator for behavior-based multi-purpose traffic flow simulation [79]. * Advanced Interactive Microscopic Simulator for Urban and Non-Urban Networks (AIMSUN) is a new simulation tool that was developed by [PERSON] and [PERSON] in 2005 [80]. It is a commercial simulation tool that is capable of simulating real-world traffic situations in an urban network in order to build and validate traffic structures, public transportation networks, and new transportation infrastructure [54]. AIMSUN is integrated with GETRAM, a simulation environment that includes different components: a traffic network editor (TEDI), a network database, a simulation module, and an application programming interface [81]. AIMSUN has developed AIMSUN LIVE, which integrates predictive-based systems that can provide real-time traffic prediction and management. In this aspect, AIMSUN LIVE can provide accurate real-time predictions of future traffic flow patterns that can be the outcome of a specific traffic management strategy. This is because AIMSUN LIVE leverages the combination of historical and real-time streaming data along with traffic congestion mitigation policies to provide accurate traffic forecasting. Subsequently, this can assist traffic control centers in utilizing the aforementioned traffic data to make real-time decisions about road network management [55]. * Multi-Agent Transport Simulation (MATSim) is another open-source simulation tool developed by the Polytechnic of Zurich that offers a range of tools for implementing very large simulation-based agents. In MATSIM, agents hold a list that simulates the daily routine of traffic in a large area. MATSIM adopts activity-based methods that are used to model travel demand. Since MATSIM is an agent-based simulator, these agents hold a list of actionable plans and choices which includes traditional traffic properties (e.g., travel routes and modes) and time schedules. In the MATSIM simulator, agents make their decisions according to the utilization of the integrated discrete choice models [82]. MATSIM mainly focuses on modeling individual vehicle behavior, which can be considered a drawback if we are interested in traffic behavior in general [54; 83]. * Simulation of Urban MObility (SUMO) is an open-source simulation tool that was developed in 2001 by the Institute of Transportation Systems at the German Aerospace Centre.