PARAMICS

Paramics Discovery is a microsimulation package which enables validation, scenario testing and visualisation of traffic flows. It has been developed over 20 years from the predecessor S-Paramics environment and allows the user to build networks rapidly with using ‘off-the-shelf’ junction types such as roundabouts and priority junctions.

The software reproduces real world traffic conditions in the model by simulating detailed individual vehicle behaviour on a user-defined road network. Once existing traffic conditions have been represented and validated, various scenarios can then be tested.

Paramics Discovery can model general road traffic, scheduled public transport services, pedestrian visualisation and cyclist behaviour. Traffic volumes are modelled using a full origin-destination matrix, which easily allows sensitivity tests such as varying levels of forecast traffic growth to be carried out.

As well as ‘classic’ transport appraisal, outputs from the software can be used as part of economic assessment and emissions calculations for environmental assessment. The software also provides visual outputs which are very useful for stakeholder engagement.