This paper proposes an object-oriented modeling methodology, which is based on global and structured UTS modeling approach, using UML. We show how UML diagrams are used in our methodology and why. The first part of this paper is dedicated to the domain analysis and shows which diagram to use. In the second part, we deal with system dedicated analysis. We then present a real case study we have dealt with.

The complexity of problems arising from Urban Traffic Systems (UTS) forces the designers to use modeling approaches in order to design their system, and define and implement traffic management strategies. As a result, an urban traffic planning tool incorporating a holistic UTS view that covers all aspects of UTS is required for successful design planning and management. However, required models are usually large and complex since they implement a global description of UTS. They must take into account several types of flows interacting within very different time scales. In order to increase the level of success of UTS modeling studies, we propose an object-oriented modeling methodology, which is based on a global and structured UTS modeling approach, using UML. This methodology exploits an original UTS systemic view and relies on a modeling process which promotes the development of a global communicative model of a UTS creating a descriptive model (estimation of the current state of a UTS using historical information) and/or a prescriptive one (generation of prediction-based information for a given time horizon).

The communicative model comprises a structural model and a functional model built with urban planning experts thanks to an object-oriented modeling methodology. In order to fully support the analysis of UTS performance from several perspectives and objectives, and for each level of decision (strategic, tactical and operational), the proposed methodology which will be implemented in a software environment, is based on a UTS generic object-oriented conceptual model. This model provides a set of UTS concepts and views in order to easily build macroscopic, mesoscopic and microscopic models. We propose to use UML models and diagrams, and we show how they can be used in our methodology.

Urban Traffic Systems, object-oriented modeling , structured UTS modeling , UML,domain analysis, dedicated analysis. Urban Traffic Systems (UTS),traffic management strategies,design planning and management, UTS modeling studies, ,global communicative model,descriptive model ,communicative model,structural model , functional model,strategic, tactical and operational,build macroscopic, mesoscopic and microscopic models.