BCS Glossary of Computing and ICT 13th edition

A10 MODELLING AND SIMULATION

Imagine having to consider designing and building a new bypass to divert traffic round a town. Before starting on such a venture it would be wise to check on the cost and compare this with the advantages to be gained. Although it is quite possible to produce accurate costings, it is harder to work out how wide the bypass should be (for example should it be dual or single carriageway) or what route it should take to reduce the traffic flow through the town. By the time the road is built the money will have been spent and the bypass may not be effective. When data on current traffic flow has been collected and likely future traffic requirements have been assessed a model of the alternative new routes can be produced. ...