A Combined Trip Generation, Trip Distribution, Modal Split, and Trip Assignment Model

Abstract

Modeling of transportation systems must invariably balance behavioral richness and computational tractability. In this paper, we develop a transportation equilibrium model and an algorithm for the simultaneous prediction of trip generation, trip distribution, modal split, and trip assignment on large-scale networks. The model achieves a practical compromise between behavioral and computational aspects of modeling the problem. It is formulated as an equivalent convex optimization problem, yet it is behaviorally richer than other models that can be cast as equivalent convex programs. Although the model is not as behaviorally rich as the most general equilibrium models, it has computational advantages. The applications reported in this paper of the model to real systems, i.e., the intercity transport network of Egypt and the urban transportation network of Austin, Texas, illustrate the computational attractiveness of the approach. These results indicate that equivalent optimization formulations are not as restrictive as previously thought, and hence, the equivalent convex programming approach for modeling and predicting equilibrium on transportation systems remains a viable and fruitful avenue for future consideration.