Computer Science Project Idea : Road Traffic Simulator

We have all experienced that the flow of traffic on a highway is a sensitive function of its volume.
Whenever the traffic density reaches a certain level, hold-ups begin to appear. This effect is caused by one car slowing and setting up a chain reaction in the vehicles behind.

The aim of this project would to be to create a visual road traffic simulator.

The number and characteristics of the vehicles should be programmable i.e. the range of reaction times of the drivers, the type of vehicles, the skill of the drivers, the effect of obstacles, etc.
The simulator should be capable of testing ways of improving traffic flow.
For e.g. limiting the number of vehicles that can enter a junction over a given period.