Use of SCATS MF to Calibrate SIDRA Saturation Flow

This technical note discusses the use of Maximum Flow values from the SCATS traffic control system (SCATS MF) for calibrating Saturation Flow in SIDRA models of signalized intersections. It highlights the conceptual similarities and significant differences between SCATS MF and Saturation Flow, emphasizing that SCATS MF values are often not valid for many lanes and pose challenges in translating to reliable Saturation Flow values. The document recommends against using SCATS MF for calibration, suggesting instead the use of standard Basic Saturation Flow values. It outlines the importance of calibrating models against observed traffic performance measures to ensure accuracy. The note further explains how SCATS MF is measured, detailing the criteria for eligibility and the smoothing process over multiple days to maintain consistency. The authors advocate for best modeling practices that reflect actual traffic conditions rather than relying solely on SCATS MF data.