Comparison of System- and User-Optimal Stochastic Dynamic Network Design Models Using Monte Carlo Bounding Techniques

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This paper compares the continuous network design problem formulations using system-optimal (SO) and user-optimal (UO) dynamic traffic assignment when the following independent stochastic parameters with known discrete probability distributions are considered: time-dependent origin-destination demands, time-varying saturation flow rates and jam density, and network improvement unit costs. These models propagate traffic according to Daganzo's cell transmission model. Two Monte Carlo bounding techniques, common random numbers (CRN) and independent random numbers (IRN) strategies, are used to solve the stochastic models. The results show that the CRN strategy outperforms IRN on a simple test network resembling a freeway corridor. The network size is sacrificed to gain higher confidence probabilistic behavior and to understand intuitively the effects of different network improvement policies. Although the findings may not necessarily be generalized, they provide interesting and insightful information. First, ...