Urban Traffic Simulation Course with Microsimulation
Online course of 300 hours in urban traffic simulation with microsimulation. 6 modules covering traffic theory and microsimulation, model building, calibration and validation, scenario analysis, advanced applications and a final project, with an assigned technical tutor.
Urban Traffic Simulation Course with Microsimulation — studying from the United States
Civil and transportation engineering is a large and visible sector in the United States, supported by federal infrastructure investment and active state and municipal programs. Major firms such as AECOM, Jacobs and Kiewit work on highways, bridges, rail and water systems nationwide. Rail engineering, centered on corridors in the Northeast, Midwest and California, is expanding with passenger and freight modernization. Smart city initiatives in cities like Pittsburgh, Boston and Austin integrate sensors, data platforms and digital twins into infrastructure planning and operations.
Fees for the United States: US$610 (US Dollars), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United States
Typical roles
Questions from the United States
What US professional bodies and licences apply to civil and rail engineering?
In the US, civil engineers can obtain the Professional Engineer (PE) licence from state boards, which is often required for public infrastructure sign-off. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) is the main professional body. Rail is overseen federally by the Federal Railroad Administration. SEIUM's private qualifications are not official degrees or PE-equivalent credentials, so employers and licensing boards decide any recognition.
Do US civil, rail and smart-city employers value private online engineering qualifications?
US public agencies and engineering firms typically require ABET-accredited degrees, PE licensure for certain roles, and relevant project experience. A private online qualification can support specialist knowledge in areas such as smart infrastructure, but it is not a standard requirement for licensed roles. Its usefulness depends on the employer's policies and on your practical background.
Can a US professional study this part-time while working, and what does the commitment look like?
Yes, the programmes are online, taught in English, and do not require a student visa. The time commitment is about 1,900 hours for a master's, 800 hours for a postgraduate diploma, or 300 hours for a specialist course, so planning is important. Each student has an assigned technical tutor. Fees can be paid in instalments, and some employers sponsor training, so check with yours.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Understand the behavioural models used in microsimulation.
Build urban network models with demand and control data.
Calibrate and validate models against recognised technical criteria.
Evaluate scenarios using level-of-service indicators.
Estimate emissions and conflicts from simulated results.
Automate analyses through programming interfaces.
Carry out a complete urban microsimulation study.
Who it's for
- Traffic modellers who want to deepen their microsimulation practice.
- Traffic engineers assessing junction and corridor schemes.
- Mobility consultants preparing traffic impact studies.
- Transport planning officers.
- Simulation analysts.
- Mobility digital twin specialists.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to move into engineering consultancy.
What you'll work with
- Highway Capacity Manual (HCM 7th edition) (capacity and level-of-service analysis)
- FHWA Traffic Analysis Toolbox Volume III (guidelines for applying traffic microsimulation)
- Transport for London Traffic Modelling Guidelines (modelling and calibration practice)
- Road Instruction Standard 3.1-IC (Spanish road geometric design)
- Directive 2008/50/EC (ambient air quality)
- Royal Decree 1052/2022 (Spanish low-emission zones)
- PTV Vissim
- SUMO
- Aimsun Next
- PTV Viswalk
- Python
6 modules
1.1Macro, meso and micro simulation levels1.2Fundamental variables: flow, speed and density1.3Car-following models1.4Lane-changing models1.5Gap acceptance at junctions1.6Randomness and simulation seeds1.7Driver behaviour and parameters1.8Pedestrians and cyclists in microsimulation1.9Limitations of microsimulation1.10Case study: choosing the modelling level
2.1Defining the study area and period2.2Coding the road network2.3Traffic count data and origin-destination matrices2.4Static and dynamic route assignment2.5Signal control and phase plans2.6Public transport and stops2.7Priority areas and right-of-way rules2.8Model warm-up2.9Model version management2.10Lab: building an urban network in SUMO
3.1Field data for calibration3.2The GEH statistic and acceptance criteria3.3Calibrating journey times3.4Calibrating queues and queue lengths3.5Number of replications required3.6Validation with independent data3.7Adjusting behavioural parameters3.8Documenting the calibration3.9Typical errors in urban models3.10Practical: calibration with traffic counts and journey times
4.1Level-of-service indicators4.2Delays, queues and stops4.3Emissions and fuel consumption with coupled models4.4Safety through SSAM conflict analysis4.5Roadworks and diversion scenarios4.6Assessing public transport priority4.7Introducing connected and autonomous vehicles4.83D visualisation and communicating results4.9Sensitivity analysis4.10Case study: comparing alternatives at an urban junction
5.1Optimising signal plans5.2Adaptive control in microsimulation5.3Simulating major events5.4Integration with macroscopic models5.5TraCI and COM programming interfaces5.6Traffic digital twins5.7Real-time simulation for control centres5.8Simulating low-emission zones5.9Pedestrian microsimulation with Viswalk5.10Workshop: signal control via TraCI in Python
6.1Framing the traffic problem6.2Data collection and processing6.3Building the base model6.4Calibration and validation6.5Defining scenarios6.6Simulation and analysis of results6.7Assessing emissions and safety6.8Technical recommendations for the authority6.9Report and presentation6.10Final project: final review with your tutor
How you'll learn
Delivered 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so the programme fits around full-time work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standards and applied exercises. The working software is PTV Vissim, SUMO, Aimsun Next, PTV Viswalk and Python, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: model calibration with real traffic counts, analysis of junction alternatives and evaluation of signal plans. Assessment is continuous by module, plus a final capstone project.
Standards covered: Highway Capacity Manual (HCM 7th edition); FHWA Traffic Analysis Toolbox Volume III; Transport for London Traffic Modelling Guidelines; Road Instruction Standard 3.1-IC; Directive 2008/50/EC; Royal Decree 1052/2022.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification is required.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with PTV Vissim, SUMO, Aimsun Next, PTV Viswalk and Python, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
No prior qualification is required: you only need an internet connection, a computer capable of running the programme's software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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