The world of our models: Making traffic simulation models work as problem-solving devices

Ateneo de Manila University is one of the major traffic generators and attractors which contribute massive peak-hour daily traffic along a major road in Metro Manila, Philippines. One of the core problems is the increasing demand generated by Ateneo which exceeds the supply during rush hour. The key to solve this particular traffic problem, therefore, is to reduce the volume of car traffic generated by Ateneo along the major road by letting the internal Ateneo road network – and not the external road network along the major road –shoulder the effect Ateneo-generated traffic. Prior to execution, his traffic management scheme required the development of certain “models of the world” such as pedestrian simulation models and flow matrices computing actual (instead of predicted) flow on various areas of a network facility. This paper examines the “world of the models” in order to detect the nature of the interfaces between science and society; in particular, between university-based knowledge production and utilization (by the university itself), and between scientific models and the fluid structure and active agency of individuals.