In this paper a new heuristic traffic assignment algorithm is presented, that makes use of advanced features of modern macroscopic traffic simulation. The prediction of the consequences of a defined assignment on traffic flow and state can be estimated with the macroscopic model. Feeding these results of prediction back into the assignment procedure can reduce the error margin for the assignment. An additional benefit is the possibility to use it as a very fast way to update current assignment patterns with only a small number of iteration steps. The results of the assignment process in combination with the macroscopic traffic flow model can then be used as an input to traffic control systems. The following paper is based on the assignment for freeway traffic networks, although the algorithm can easily be adopted to urban networks as well. (A*)
Abstract