On Combined Dynamic Traffic Assignment and Traffic-Responsive Signal Control

Abstract

This paper is concerned with the analysis of the re-routing effects of traffic flow that are induced by traffic signals. This is done by the calculation of a dynamic userequilibrium traffic flow assignment using an iterative process. This iterative process is shown to be convergent through formal analysis and is studied by simulation experiments. Results from these simulation tests suggest that the type of traffic signal control and the exact signal plans used are key factors in accounting for shifts in traffic flows from drivers selecting different routes. Such re-routing is expected to be prevalent in an environment in which drivers are highly informed and can react to travel conditions throughout the day as is the case with the deployment of Advanced Traveler Information Systems (ATIS). In such an environment, fixed-signal plans (generated by non-adaptive signal controllers) may result in widely-varying traffic flows on links, degrading the ability of traffic engineers, and the driv..