Simulation Modeling of Route Guidance Concept

Abstract

The methodology of a simulation model developed at the University of New South Wales, Australia, for the evaluation of performance of Dynamic Route Guidance Systems (DRGS) is described. The microscopic simulation model adopts the event update simulation method and allows assessment of route guidance performance under different scenarios such as varying levels of participation in guidance technologies and different intensities of travel demand. This research is important for marketing, costing, and introducing route guidance and can assist planners in identifying suitable networks and traffic conditions for such systems. The example application investigates selected operating scenarios of intersection delay conditions under different compositions of participation rates in route guidance. Preliminary investigations indicate that the effectiveness of route guidance is related to the level of intersection delays. An interesting outcome of this application is the identification that in networks with intersection delays which vary with time, those motorists without guidance assistance strive to make better forecasts of travel time in order to assist their route selection. At low levels of intersection delays, some motorists appear to make more than one nonoptimal route selection.The development of Dynamic Route Guidance Systems (DRGS) that incorporate advances in information technology to distribute the traffic efficiently over a network is a growing area of research interest. It is anticipated that the concept of DRGS will provide costeffective solutions for congestion management. This research team has been investigating methods to quantify and analyze the benefits from a generic DRGS proposal.The importance of DRGS in urban road networks is examined. The proposed evaluation model designed to appraise projects about route guidance is explained. The evaluation methodology allows quantification of travel time savings delivered to various types of motorists in the traffic stream. The model contains four sub-models and adopts the event update simulation method to investigate the effects of dynamic route guidance. A description of the component models is reported.To analyze the performance of DRGS, benefits of route guidance have been assessed under different scenarios such as different levels of subscription, intensities of travel demand, and sizes as well as configurations of networks. These evaluations are useful in estimating optimum levels of subscription for such systems for successful congestion management. Impacts of DRGS on the route selection behavior of different types of motorists can also be studied using this simulation model.In the model application reported here, the evaluation model has been applied to investigate the effects of turning delays at intersections. Impacts of DRGS have been investigated under three scenarios related to intersection delay conditions. NEED FACTORSDespite efforts to improve urban and interurban traffic conditions, congestion is still pervasive in many of these areas worldwide. ...