The application of a route diversion strategy to a vehicle route guidance system using multiple driver classes

A traffic assignment-simulation model for planning, rather than operational, purposes is proposed to evaluate what possible benefit might be obtained by adapting a traffic center-based vehicle route guidance system (VRGS). The model consists of three modules: a multiple driver class traffic assignment module, a traffic signal control module, and a vehicle route guidance system module. Multiple driver class traffic assignment generates the time-dependent K shortest paths based on “static”, “semi-dynamic”, and “dynamic” link travel times for each of three classes of driver, namely, non-equipped drivers, those who are equipped but have partially compliant drivers, and those who are equipped and have totally compliant drivers. Traffic signal settings adopt a table look-up traffic-responsive signal scheme to “optimize” signal performance locally. Different VRGS scenarios, which are presented for comparison, are delineated by the proportion of equipped vehicles, the proportion of equipped vehicles in compliance with guidance information, and the proportion of roadside units. The interaction effects on average travel time of a hypothetical network by various levels of experimental factors from the three modules are then identified. The results indicate that a VRGS improves network efficiency for traffic conditions between light and severe traffic congestion. Model limitations and directions for further research are examined.