Incorporating activity duration and scheduling utility into equilibrium-based Dynamic Traffic Assignment

in Transportation Research. Part B, Methodological (2018)

This paper deals with the problem of jointly modelling activity scheduling and duration within a Dynamic Traffic Assignment (DTA) problem framework. Although the last decades witnessed an intense effort ... [more ▼]

This paper deals with the problem of jointly modelling activity scheduling and duration within a Dynamic Traffic Assignment (DTA) problem framework. Although the last decades witnessed an intense effort in developing utility-based departure time choice models, relatively little has been done for understanding how the different assumptions on the utility model affect the model outputs. This problem is the main focus of this paper, which evaluates the effect of explicitly incorporating activity scheduling and duration within a generic user equilibrium DTA formulation. While using utility functions to model the positive component of the utility is a quite common procedure, the object of this paper is to show that a generic utility-based framework behaves as trip-based, activity-based, tour-based, or schedule-based if specific assumptions are specified. By establishing a set of properties, we quantify the amount of utility lost due to traffic congestion and how this affects activity (re-)scheduling and duration decisions. This allows predicting the effect of using a different assumption on the evolution of the transport system – and more specifically the departure time choice model. Conclusions support the idea that, under specific conditions, complex user behaviour can be approximated through a simplified model, and that the ratio between utility at origin and destination can be used to identify systematic biases within an existing DTA model – such as anticipating the rush hour. We also propose a novel utility function suited for modelling different activities, which can be used for modelling activities with a different duration. The mathematical model used to evaluate the effect of scheduling and duration into the equilibrium-based Dynamic Traffic Assignment is a simple bottleneck model. While this model has been recently re-formulated in order to capture the interaction between morning/evening commute, this paper further generalizes it in order to account for all type of activities. [less ▲]

A holding control strategy for diverging bus lines

Scientific Conference (2018, July 24)

We introduce a holding criterion for network configurations with lines that operate jointly along a common corridor and then individually diverge. The proposed holding decision rule accounts for all ... [more ▼]

We introduce a holding criterion for network configurations with lines that operate jointly along a common corridor and then individually diverge. The proposed holding decision rule accounts for all different passengers groups in the overlapping segment and takes care of the transition to individual line operation. The holding rule is evaluated using simulation for different demand levels and segmentations and compared with other control schemes for a real-world network. Results show that gains in overall network performance as well as for specific passenger groups can be achieved under specific demand distributions. [less ▲]

Assessing the performance of coordinated predictive control strategies on urban-motorway networks

in IFAC-PapersOnLine (2018, July), 51(9), 285-290

Coordination and integration of different traffic control policies have been of considerable interest in research in the last decades and, recently, have been object of large scale implementation trials ... [more ▼]

Coordination and integration of different traffic control policies have been of considerable interest in research in the last decades and, recently, have been object of large scale implementation trials. In the setting of peri-urban motorway systems, coordination of various kinds of controllers must however be accompanied by accurate prediction of both propagation of flows and queues in the network, as well as the users’ response in terms of route choice. In this paper, we showcase through a real-life case study how coordination and prediction are both essential when performing hybrid urban-motorway control. Simulation results of a Model Predictive Control application are compared to simpler local control approaches, and the impact of coordinated intersection control and, additionally, Ramp Metering is evaluated. [less ▲]

Improving Public Transport Service Regularity using Cooperative Driver Advisory Systems

Presentation (2018, June 12)

A New Modelling Framework over Temporal Graphs for Collaborative Mobility Recommendation Systems

in A New Modelling Framework over Temporal Graphs for Collaborative Mobility Recommendation Systems (2018, March 15)

Over the years, collaborative mobility proved to be an important but challenging component of the smart cities paradigm. One of the biggest challenges in the smart mobility domain is the use of data ... [more ▼]

Over the years, collaborative mobility proved to be an important but challenging component of the smart cities paradigm. One of the biggest challenges in the smart mobility domain is the use of data science as an enabler for the implementation of large scale transportation sharing solutions. In particular, the next generation of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) requires the combination of artificial intelligence and discrete simulations when exploring the effects of whatif decisions in complex scenarios with millions of users. In this paper, we address this challenge by presenting an innovative data modelling framework that can be used for ITS related problems. We demonstrate that the use of graphs and time series in multi-dimensional data models can satisfy the requirements of descriptive and predictive analytics in real-world case studies with massive amounts of continuously changing data. The features of the framework are explained in a case study of a complex collaborative mobility system that combines carpooling, carsharing and shared parking. The performance of the framework is tested with a large-scale dataset, performing machine learning tasks and interactive realtime data visualization. The outcome is a fast, efficient and complete architecture that can be easily deployed, tested and used for research as well in an industrial environment. [less ▲]

Vulnerability analysis of network observability in link flow inference problems

Scientific Conference (2018, January)

Multiline holding based control for lines merging to a shared transit corridor

in Transportmetrica B: Transport Dynamics (2018)

In transit corridors, multiple lines share a sequence of consecutive stops to provide higher joint frequency in higher demand areas. A key challenge is to coordinate the transition from single line to ... [more ▼]

In transit corridors, multiple lines share a sequence of consecutive stops to provide higher joint frequency in higher demand areas. A key challenge is to coordinate the transition from single line to joint operation. A holding control strategy aimed at minimizing passenger travel times is introduced for lines merging into a shared corridor, accounting for the coordination of vehicle arrivals from the merging lines as well as the regularity of each line. The criterion is tested using an artificial network and a real-world network to analyze the impact of demand distribution and compare cooperative versus single line control. We illustrate how the real-time strategy yields overall passenger gains, depending on the composition of different user groups. Results are assessed based on operation and passenger performance indicators and show that coordination is achieved. When combined with joint control in the common part, the proposed approach achieves consistentnetwork-wide travel time benefits. [less ▲]

The effect of workplace relocation on individuals’ activity travel behavior

in Journal of Transport and Land Use (2018), 11(1),

On working days, homes and workplaces can be seen as anchor locations at the heart of daily mobility patterns, as well as being central to an employee’s activity pattern. In this study, we investigate how ... [more ▼]

On working days, homes and workplaces can be seen as anchor locations at the heart of daily mobility patterns, as well as being central to an employee’s activity pattern. In this study, we investigate how workplace relocation affects the entire daily activity-travel chain. While past research has shown that workplace decentralization is often associated with higher car use for the commuting trip, little is known about the effect on the whole activity travel pattern. Two waves of a two-week travel diary were completed by 43 employees of the University of Luxembourg: one before and one after the relocation of their office. Using descriptive statistics as well as standard deviational ellipses (SDE) theory combined with the results of a clustering analysis showed that workers’ activity spaces (represented by the standard deviational ellipses) were significantly modified due to the relocation of a single anchor activity location, i.e., their workplace. [less ▲]

A global optimization heuristic for the decomposed static anticipatory network traffic control problem anticipatory network traffic control problem

in Transportation Research Procedia (2017)

Developing traffic control strategies taking explicitly into account the route choice behavior of users has been widely recognized irregularities in the solution space shape, such as non-convexity and non ... [more ▼]

Developing traffic control strategies taking explicitly into account the route choice behavior of users has been widely recognized irregularities in the solution space shape, such as non-convexity and non-smoothness. In this work, we propose an extended as a very challenging problem. Furthermore, the inclusion of user behavior in optimization based control schemes introduces strong decomposition scheme for the anticipatory traffic control problem, based upon our previous contributions, which aims at i) reducing irregularities in the solution space shape, such as non-convexity and non-smoothness. In this work, we propose an extended the computational complexity of the problem by approaching it in a controller-by-controller fashion, and ii) internalizing specific decomposition scheme for the anticipatory traffic control problem, based upon our previous contributions, which aims at i) reducing constraints in the objective function, guiding the optimization process away from non-significant minima, such as flat regions. the computational complexity of the problem by approaching it in a controller-by-controller fashion, and ii) internalizing specific Through two small scale test networks and different, randomly chosen initial points, we compare how the proposed extension constraints in the objective function, guiding the optimization process away from non-significant minima, such as flat regions. influences optimization results with respect to our previously developed decomposed approach, as well as centralized schemes. Through two small scale test networks and different, randomly chosen initial points, we compare how the proposed extension influences optimization results with respect to our previously developed decomposed approach, as well as centralized schemes. [less ▲]

Estimating Urban Road Traffic States Using Mobile Network Signaling Data

in Abstract book of the 20th International Conference on Intelligent Transportation Systems (2017, October)

It is intuitive that there is a causal relationship between human mobility and signaling events in mobile phone networks. Among these events, not only the initiation of calls and data sessions can be used ... [more ▼]

It is intuitive that there is a causal relationship between human mobility and signaling events in mobile phone networks. Among these events, not only the initiation of calls and data sessions can be used in analyses, but also handovers between different locations that reflect mobility. In this work, we investigate if handovers can be used as a proxy metric for flows in the underlying road network, especially in urban environments. More precisely, we show that characteristic profiles of handovers within and between clusters of mobile network cells exist. We base these profiles on models from road traffic flow theory, and show that they can be used for traffic state estimation using floating-car data as ground truth. The presented model can be beneficial in areas with good mobile network coverage but low road traffic counting infrastructure, e.g. in developing countries, but also serve as an additional predictor for existing traffic state monitoring systems. [less ▲]