Bus frequency optimization in a large-scale multi-modal transportation system:integrating 3D-MFD and dynamic traffic assignment

A properly designed public transport system is expected to improve traffic efficiency.A high-frequency bus service would decrease the waiting time for passengers,but the interaction between buses and cars might result in more serious congestion.On the other hand,a low-frequency bus service would increase the waiting time for passengers and would not reduce the use of private cars.It is important to strike a balance between high and low frequencies in order to minimize the total delays for all road users.It is critical to formulate the impacts of bus frequency on congestion dynamics and mode choices.However,as far as the authors know,most proposed bus frequency optimization formulations are based on static demand and the Bureau of Public Roads function,and do not properly consider the congestion dynamics and their impacts on mode choices.To fill this gap,this paper proposes a bi-level optimization model.A three-dimensional Macroscopic Fundamental Diagram based modeling approach is developed to capture the bi-modal congestion dynamics.A variational inequality model for the user equilibrium in mode choices is presented and solved using a double projection algorithm.A surrogate model-based algorithm is used to solve the bi-level programming problem.

A modification of local path marginal cost on the dynamic traffic network

Path marginal cost （PMC） is the change in totaltravel cost for flow on the network that arises when timedependentpath flow changes by 1 unit. Because it is hardto obtain the marginal cost on all the links, the local PMC,considering marginal cost of partial links, is normallycalculated to approximate the global PMC. When analyzingthe marginal cost at a congested diverge intersection, ajump-point phenomenon may occur. It manifests as alikelihood that a vehicle may unsteadily lift up （down） inthe cumulative flow curve of the downstream links. Previously,the jump-point caused delay was ignored whencalculating the local PMC. This article proposes an analyticalmethod to solve this delay which can contribute toobtaining a more accurate local PMC. Next to that, we usea simple case to calculate the previously local PMC and themodified one. The test shows a large gap between them,which means that this delay should not be omitted in thelocal PMC calculation.

Three-stage approach for dynamic traffic temporal-spatial model

In order to describe the characteristics of dynamic traffic flow and improve the robustness of its multiple applications, a dynamic traffic temporal-spatial model(DTTS) is established. With consideration of the temporal correlation, spatial correlation and historical correlation, a basic DTTS model is built. And a three-stage approach is put forward for the simplification and calibration of the basic DTTS model. Through critical sections pre-selection and critical time pre-selection, the first stage reduces the variable number of the basic DTTS model. In the second stage, variable coefficient calibration is implemented based on basic model simplification and stepwise regression analysis. Aimed at dynamic noise estimation, the characteristics of noise are summarized and an extreme learning machine is presented in the third stage. A case study based on a real-world road network in Beijing, China, is carried out to test the efficiency and applicability of proposed DTTS model and the three-stage approach.

An integrated approach for dynamic traffic routing and ramp metering using sliding mode control

The problem of designing integrated traffic control strategies for highway networks with the use of route guidance, ramp metering is considered. The highway network is simulated using a first order macroscopic model called LWR model which is a mathematical traffic flow model that formulates the relationships among traffic flow characteristics in terms of density, flow, and mean speed of the traffic stream. An integrated control algorithm is designed to solve the proposed problem, based on the inverse control technique and variable structure control（super twisting sliding mode）. Three case studies have been tested in the presence of an on-ramp at each alternate route and where there is a capacity constraint in the network. In the first case study, there is no capacity constraint at either upstream or downstream of the alternate routes and the function of the proposed algorithm is only to balance the traffic flow on the alternate routes. In the second case study, there is capacity constraint at downstream of alternate routes. The proposed algorithm aims to avoid congestion on the main road and balance the traffic flow on the alternate routes. In the last case study, there is capacity constraint at upstream of alternate routes. The objective of proposed algorithm is to avoid congestion on the main road and to balance the traffic flow on the alternate routes. The obtained results show that the proposed algorithms can establish user equilibrium between two alternate routes even when the on-ramps, located at alternate routes, have different traffic demands.

Impact of Wavelength-Routed Network Physical Topology on Blocking Probability Using a Dynamic Traffic Growth Model

We investigate the impact of network topology on blocking probability in wavelength-routed networks using a dynamic traffic growth model. The dependence of blocking on different physical parameters is assessed.

Combined Analysis of Cost and Traffic Grooming Policies for Hybrid Networks Under Dynamic Traffic Requests

The benefit of a two-layer hybrid IP/MPLS （multi-protocol label switching） over a wavelength division multiplexing network has been analyzed considering both the cost and different grooming policies. A detailed cost and performance analysis of hybrid networks is done for three different grooming policies. The hybrid network cost is compared with that of an opaque network for equal traffic demand and equal blocking probability of dynamic requests of label switched paths. An algorithm is given to design optimum hybrid nodes for different grooming policies to provide the desired blocking probability for a given number of dynamic connection requests. The results show that all three applied grooming policies （IP layer first, optical layer first, and one hop first） result in lower costs of the hybrid network architecture than for the opaque network. In addition, an adaptive one hop first method is given to improve the best of the applied grooming policies, which limits grooming in heavily loaded hybrid nodes to achieve load balancing. The simulation resuits show that the new policy significantly reduces the overall blocking probability.

Traffic dynamics on multilayer networks

Many real-world networks are demonstrated to either have layered network structures in themselves or interconnect with other networks,forming multilayer network structures.In this survey,we give a brief review of recent progress in traffic dynamics on multilayer networks.First,we introduce several typical multilayer network models.Then,we present some mainstream performance indicators,such as network capacity,average transmission time,etc.Moreover,we discuss some optimization strategies for improving the transmission performance.Finally,we provide some open issues that could be further explored in the future.

The Use of Dynamic Message Signs (DMSs) on the Freeways: An Empirical Analysis of DMSs Logs and Survey Data

This study evaluates the Dynamic Message Signs (DMSs) use to dissipate incident information on the freeways in Las Vegas, Nevada. It focuses on the DMSs message timing, extent, and content, from the operators’ and drivers’ perspectives, considering the variability in drivers’ freeway experience. Two-week incidents data with fifty-nine incidents, DMS log data, and responses from a survey questionnaire were used. The descriptive analysis of the incidents revealed that about 54% of the incidents had their information posted on the DMSs;however, information of only 18.6% of the incidents was posted on time. The posted information covered the incident type (54.2%), location (49.2%), and lane blockage (45.8%), while the expected delay or the time the incident has lasted are rarely posted. Further, the standard DMSs are the most preferred sources of traffic information on the freeway compared to the travel time only DMSs, and the graphical map boards. The logistic regression applied to the survey responses revealed that regular freeway users are less likely to take an alternative route when they run into congestion, given no other information is available. Conversely, when given accurate information through DMSs, regular freeway users are about 2.9 times more likely to detour. Furthermore, regular freeway users perceive that the DMSs show clear information about the incident location. Upon improving the DMSs usage, 73% of respondents suggested that the information be provided earlier, and 54% requested improvements on congestion duration and length information. These findings can be used by the DMSs operators in Nevada and worldwide to improve freeway operations.

Integration control for traffic corridors considering guidance information

The problem of designing integration traffic strategies for traffic corridors with the use of ramp metering, speed limit, and route guidance is considered in this paper. As an improvement to the previous work, the presented approach has the following five features： 1） modeling traffic flow to analyze traffic characteristics under the influence of variable speed limit, on-ramp metering and guidance information; 2） building a hierarchy model to realize the integration design of traffic control and route guidance in traffic corridors; 3） devising a multi-class analytical dynamic traffic assignment （DTA） model for traffic corridors, where not only the route choice process will be different for each user-class, but also the traffic flow operations are user-class specific because the travel time characteristic for each user-class is considered; 4） predicting route choice probabilities adaptively with real-time traffic conditions and route choice behaviors corresponding to variant users, rather than assuming as pre-determined; and 5） suggesting a numerical solution algorithm of the hierarchy model presented in this paper based on the modified algorithm of iterative optimization assignment （IOA）. Preliminary numerical test demonstrates the potential of the developed model and algorithm for integration corridor control.

Continuum modeling for two-lane traffic flow

In this paper, we study the continuum modeling of traffic dynamics for two-lane freeways. A new dynamics model is proposed, which contains the speed gradient-based momentum equations derived from a car-following theory suited to two-lane traffic flow. The conditions for securing the linear stability of the new model are presented. Numerical tests are can＇ied out and some nonequilibrium phenomena are observed, such as small disturbance instability, stop-and-go waves, local clusters and phase transition.

Continuum modeling for two-lane traffic flow with consideration of the traffic interruption probability

Considering the effects that the probability of traffic interruption and the friction between two lanes have on the car-following behaviour, this paper establishes a new two-lane microscopic car-following model. Based on this microscopic model, a new macroscopic model was deduced by the relevance relation of microscopic and macroscopic scale parameters for the two-lane traffic flow. Terms related to lane change are added into the continuity equations and velocity dynamic equations to investigate the lane change rate. Numerical results verify that the proposed model can be efficiently used to reflect the effect of the probability of traffic interruption on the shock, rarefaction wave and lane change behaviour on two-lane freeways. The model has also been applied in reproducing some complex traffic phenomena caused by traffic accident interruption.

Local-State Routing in Satellite Constellation Networks from the Perspective of Complex Network

Routing algorithms in satellite constellation networks usually make use of the local state information to adapt to the topology and traffic dynamics,since it’s difficult to obtain the global states in time due to the spatial large-scale feature of constellation networks.Furthermore,they use different range of local states and give these states distinct weights.However,the behind design criterion is ambiguous and often based on experience.This paper discusses the problem from the perspective of complex network.A universal local-state routing model with tunable parameters is presented to generalize the common characteristics of local-state routing algorithms for satellite constellation networks.Based on this,the impacts of localstate routing algorithms on performance and the correlation between routing and traffic dynamics are analyzed in detail.Among them,the tunable parameters,the congestion propagation process,the critical packet sending rate,and the network robustness are discussed respectively.Experimental results show that routing algorithms can achieve a satisfactory performance by maintaining a limited state awareness capability and obtaining the states in a range below the average path length.This provides a valuable design basis for routing algorithms in satellite constellation networks.

Mobility-driven user-centric AP clustering in mobile edge computing-based ultra-dense networks

ultra-Dense Network(UDN)has been envisioned as a promising technology to provide high-quality wireless connectivity in dense urban areas,in which the density of Access Points(APs)is increased up to the point where it is comparable with or surpasses the density of active mobile users.In order to mitigate inter-AP interference and improve spectrum efficiency,APs in UDNs are usually clustered into multiple groups to serve different mobile users,respectively.However,as the number of APs increases,the computational capability within an AP group has become the bottleneck of AP clustering.In this paper,we first propose a novel UDN architecture based on Mobile Edge Computing(MEC),in which each MEC server is associated with a user-centric AP cluster to act as a mobile agent.In addition,in the context of MEC-based UDN,we leverage mobility prediction techniques to achieve a dynamic AP clustering scheme,in which the cluster structure can automatically adapt to the dynamic distribution of user traffic in a specific area.Simulation results show that the proposed scheme can highly increase the average user throughput compared with the baseline algorithm using max-SINR user association and equal bandwidth allocation,while it guarantees at the same time low transmission delay.

Dynamic multicast traffic grooming in WDM networks

Dynamic multicast traffic grooming in wave-length division multiplexing(WDM)networks was analyzed to minimize networkwide costs and to increase the network resource utilization.A network model was developed for dynamic multicast traffic grooming with resource constraints and an algorithm that can provide quality of service(QoS)was proposed.The QoS is measured by the maximum number of lightpaths passing between the source and the destinations.The blocking probability of the algorithm was assessed in simulations.The results show that a higher QoS requirement results in higher blocking probability,and when the QoS requirement is low,changes in the QoS require-ments have only small effects on the blocking probability.

How machine learning informs ride-hailing services:A survey

In recent years,online ride-hailing services have emerged as an important component of urban transportation system,which not only provide significant ease for residents’travel activities,but also shape new travel behavior and diversify urban mobility patterns.This study provides a thorough review of machine-learning-based methodologies for on-demand ride-hailing services.The importance of on-demand ride-hailing services in the spatiotemporal dynamics of urban traffic is first highlighted,with machine-learning-based macro-level ride-hailing research demonstrating its value in guiding the design,planning,operation,and control of urban intelligent transportation systems.Then,the research on travel behavior from the perspective of individual mobility patterns,including carpooling behavior and modal choice behavior,is summarized.In addition,existing studies on order matching and vehicle dispatching strategies,which are among the most important components of on-line ridehailing systems,are collected and summarized.Finally,some of the critical challenges and opportunities in ridehailing services are discussed.

Within-day travel speed pattern unsupervised classification——A data driven case study of the State of Alabama during the COVID-19 pandemic

Recent comparative studies on mobility patterns are emerging to describe the changes in mobility patterns due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Most of the current studies utilize travel volume per day as the critical indicator and identify the impacted period by the dates of governmental lockdown or stay-at-home orders,which however may not accurately present the actual impacted dates.The objective of this study is to provide an alternative perspective to identify the normal and pandemic-influenced daily traffic patterns.Instead of only using traffic volumes per day or assuming the impacted travel pattern began with the stay-at-home order,the methodology in this study investigates the within-day timedependent travel speed as time series,and then applies dynamic time warping algorithm and hierarchical clustering unsupervised classification methods to classify days into various groups without assuming a start date for any group.Using the state-wide travel speed data in Alabama,these study measures dissimilarities among within-day travel speed time series.By incorporating the dissimilarities/distance matrix,various agglomerative hierarchical clustering(AHC)methods(average,complete,Ward’s)are tested to conduct proper unsupervised classification.The Ward’s AHC classification results show that within-day travel speed pattern in Alabama shifted more than two weeks before the issuance of the State stay-at-home order.The results further show that a new travel speed pattern appears at the end of stay-at-home order,which is different from either the normal pattern before the pandemic or the initial pandemic-influenced pattern,which leads to a conclusion that a’new normal’within-day travel pattern emerges.