Cai, YuanLiSong, HouBingHan, ChongZhao2008-05-302008-05-302004-07YuanLi, C, HouBing, S & ChongZhao, H 2004,'On the computer simulation for traffic systems' , Paper presented to the 23rd Annual Southern African Transport Conference, South Africa, 12 - 15 July.1920017232http://hdl.handle.net/2263/5713This paper was transferred from the original CD ROM created for this conference. The material on the CD ROM was published using Adobe Acrobat technology. The original CD ROM was produced by Document Transformation Technologies Postal Address: PO Box 560 Irene 0062 South Africa. Tel.: +27 12 667 2074 Fax: +27 12 667 2766 E-mail: doctech@doctech.co.za URL: http://www.doctech.co.zaPaper presented at the 23rd Annual Southern African Transport Conference 12 - 15 July 2004 "Getting recognition for the importance of transport", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa. In this paper, the significance of computer simulation for traffic systems is analyzed and both the relationship between traditional transportation systems and simulation technology and the relationship between Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) and simulation technology are discussed. The research interests and approaches of traffic simulation are reviewed in details and contemporary development and applications in this field are presented. Finally，several important future prospects in the traffic simulation based on digital computers are pointed out according to the recent research and development of modern computer simulation technology. The tendencies include virtual reality technology, network and system integration, parallel computing, object-oriented programming, discrete-event simulation, travel demand simulation and traffic control system simulation.155058 bytesapplication/pdfenUniversity of PretoriaTransportTraffic systemsTraffic simulationVirtual realitySystem integrationDiscrete-event simulationObject-oriented programmingTransportation -- South Africa -- CongressesTraffic engineering -- South Africa -- Simulation methods -- CongressesCommunication and traffic -- South Africa -- Simulation methods -- CongressesIntelligent Vehicle Highway Systems -- South Africa -- CongressesElectronics in transportation -- CongressesEvent