Traffic Simulation with Dynameq

Abstract

Dynameq is a simulation-based dynamic traffic assignment (DTA ) model. This model employs an iterative solution method to find the user-optimal assignment of time-varying origin–destination demands to paths through a road network where the path travel times – which depend on the assigned path flows – are time-varying and determined using a detailed traffic simulation model. Increasing congestion and the use of increasingly sophisticated measures to manage it – such as adaptive traffic control, reserved, reversible and tolled lanes, and time-varying congestion pricing – have created a need for models that are more detailed and realistic than static assignment models traditionally used in transportation planning. DTA models have begun to fill that need and have been successfully applied on real-world networks of significant size. This chapter provides a description of the assignment and simulation models that comprise the software, a discussion of fundamental concepts such as user-equilibrium and stability , an introduction to calibration methodology for simulation-based DTA, and a brief description of a typical project.