Social optimum for linear staggered shifts in a single-entry traffic corridor with no late arrivals

Abstract

The staggered shifts scheme has been widely discussed to alleviate traffic congestion in recent years. However, most previous research considers limited numbers of work start times and ignores the dynamic characteristics of traffic flow. In this paper, we consider a linear staggered shifts (LSS) scheme, which assumes the work start times for commuters is a continuous time period, to replace the identical work start time in a single-entry traffic corridor. We analytically derive the social optimal (SO) assignment and find the optimal LSS scheme in the flow congestion model with no late arrivals. The evolvement laws of traffic flow in the time–space dimension and corresponding economic properties with the optimal LSS scheme are also investigated. Results demonstrate that the application of the proposed optimal LSS scheme will not change the flow pattern of commuters in SO but significantly reduce the total trip cost.