Validation of a new multiclass mesoscopic simulator based on individual vehicles for dynamic network loading

Abstract

The dynamic network loading problem is crucial for performing dynamic traffic assignment. It must reproduce the network flow propagation, while taking into account the time and a variable traffic demand on each path of the network. In this paper, we consider a simulation-based approach for dynamic network loading as the best-suited option. We present a multiclass multilane dynamic network loading model based on a mesoscopic scheme that uses a continuous-time link-based approach with a complete demand discretization. In order to demonstrate the correctness of the model, we computationally validate the proposed simulation model using a variety of laboratory tests. The obtained results look promising, showing the model's ability to reproduce multilane multiclass traffic behaviors for medium-size urban networks.