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5 Module 8 Route-Traffic Assignment

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23 views2 pages

5 Module 8 Route-Traffic Assignment

Uploaded by

sloropesa
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Naga College Foundation

College of Engineering
Flipped Classroom Mode/Learning

Course Title: CE 323 Principles of Transportation Engineering Module No. 8


Credit Unit 3 units (Lecture) Period: Semi-final Period
Instructor: Engr. Francisco G. Naval Assistant Professor I

Route/Traffic Assignment for Transportation Engineering

Route or traffic assignment is a crucial aspect of transportation engineering that deals


with the allocation of traffic flow or demand to specific routes within a transportation
network. This process helps determine which routes travelers will choose to take between
their origins and destinations based on factors such as travel time, distance, cost, and other
constraints.

Here's an overview of the Route/Traffic Assignment process:

1. Network Representation: The transportation network is represented as a graph


consisting of nodes (representing locations such as intersections, origins, and
destinations) and links (representing road segments or transportation corridors
connecting nodes).

2. Trip Distribution: Before traffic assignment can occur, trip distribution models estimate
the number of trips between different origins and destinations within the study area. This
step determines the overall demand for travel between various locations.

3. Route Choice Models: Route choice models simulate how travelers select their routes
based on factors such as travel time, distance, cost (e.g., tolls), congestion, and user
preferences. Different mathematical formulations and algorithms are used to model
travelers' decision-making processes.
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4. Traffic Assignment: Once route choice models are established, traffic assignment
algorithms allocate the estimated trip demand onto specific routes within the
transportation network. The goal is to distribute traffic flow in a way that minimizes
overall travel costs or congestion while satisfying capacity constraints and other network
attributes.

5. Assignment Methods: Various methods are used for traffic assignment, including:
 All-or-nothing Assignment: This simple method assigns all trip demand to the
shortest path between each origin-destination pair, ignoring congestion effects. It
serves as a starting point for more sophisticated assignment methods.

 Iterative Assignment: Iterative methods, such as the Frank-Wolfe algorithm or the


method of successive averages, iteratively update link flow assignments based on
gradient descent or other optimization techniques until convergence is achieved.

 Stochastic Assignment: Stochastic assignment models incorporate randomness or


uncertainty into travelers' route choice decisions. These models are useful for
analyzing the variability in travel patterns and predicting system reliability or
robustness.

6. Evaluation and Calibration: After traffic assignment is completed, the resulting traffic
flow patterns are evaluated to assess network performance, such as congestion levels,
travel times, and system efficiency. The assignment results may be compared with
observed traffic data to calibrate and validate the models.

7. Scenario Analysis: Transportation planners and engineers use traffic assignment models
to conduct scenario analysis and evaluate the impacts of proposed infrastructure
projects, transportation policies, or land use changes on traffic flow patterns, congestion,
and overall system performance.

Overall, route/traffic assignment plays a crucial role in transportation planning and traffic
management by providing insights into how traffic flows through a network and helping
stakeholders make informed decisions to improve mobility, efficiency, and safety.

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