Dynamic Traffic Simulation Model-Based Evaluation Of Impacts Of Route Choices On Traffic Operational Conditions Under Traffic Information

With the continued worsening traffic congestions in urban areas, general public is becoming more and more concerned about and considering the solutions to the traffic problems. Compared with the traditional method, which is to carry out massive construction of transportation facilities, it would be more effective and economic to use an approach that is intended to improve the operational efficiency of traffic networks. Thus, various advanced technologies have been applied to the improvement of operational efficiency of current networks in the recent years, including the application of Advanced Traffic Information System (ATIS). However, with the spread application of ATIS, it has been found that it is not as effective as we had expected in mitigating traffic congestions, primarily because the effectiveness of implementing ATIS strategies is highly related to the drivers' route choice behavior. In this context, this thesis is intended to study the impact of route choices on the road network's traffic operational conditions under traffic information. Considering the deficiency of traditional static traffic simulation models, the thesis applies a dynamic traffic simulation model to evaluate the impact of route choices on the operational conditions of traffic networks under information. First, it provides an analysis of logic regarding drivers' route choice behavior in order to determine the effect of different route choices on the network under traffic information. Then, it completes the development of a dynamic traffic model and the calibration of the model, in which a double-layered approach to derive the synthetic dynamic ODs is presented by combining the traditional OD estimation and the floating car data, and then the Van Aerde singe regime traffic flow model is analyzed and calibrated. Subsequently, it develops a case study dynamic simulation platform based on the dynamic traffic simulation model INTEGRATIION. Further, the thesis also establishes a traffic network operational evaluation system, for comparing the impacts of different route choices on traffic operational conditions. In light of this evaluation system, the thesis provides a series of special Measures Of Effectiveness (MOEs) such as the Road Traffic Congestion Index, and the Primary Route Travel Time Index (PRTI). Finally, it designs traffic simulation scenarios, analyzes the simulation results, and evaluates the impacts of different route choice behaviors on traffic network operational conditions under traffic information.