Large-Scale Dynamic Traffic Assignment: Implementation Issues and Computational Analysis

This paper is concerned with implementation challenges related to using dynamic traffic assignment on actual large urban networks. Such challenges include the manipulation of network and demand data, the modeling of turning movements, the efficient computation of link travel times, and the handling of complex path data. The basic simulation-assignment based approach introduced by Mahmassani et al. in 1993 was enhanced to address the challenges outlined above. The model is used on applications presently performed by agencies with static transportation planning models, such as infrastructure improvements, demand management, and congestion pricing. In addition, various applications that are difficult to perform with static models are explored, such as the evaluation of Intelligent Transportation Systems technologies. Computational tests are performed on the Columbus, Ohio urban network and the results are analyzed.