A multiclass simulation-based dynamic traffic assignment model for mixed traffic flow of connected and autonomous vehicles and human-driven vehicles

Abstract

Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs) may exhibit different driving and route choice behaviours compared to Human-Driven Vehicles (HDVs), which can result in a mixed traffic flow with multiple classes of route choice behaviour. Therefore, it is necessary to solve the Multiclass Traffic Assignment Problem (TAP) for mixed traffic flow. However, most existing studies have relied on analytical solutions. Furthermore, simulation-based methods have not fully considered all of CAVs’ potential capabilities. This study presents an open-source solution framework for the multiclass simulation-based TAP in mixed traffic of CAVs and HDVs. The proposed model assumes that CAVs follow system optimal with rerouting capabilities, while HDVs follow user equilibrium. It also considers the impact of CAVs on road capacity at both micro and meso scales. The proposed model is demonstrated through three case studies. This study provides a valuable tool that can consider several assumptions for better understanding the impact of CAVs on mixed traffic flow.

KEYWORDS:

• Simulation-based traffic assignment
• Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs)
• mixed traffic flow
• Human Driven Vehicles (HDVs)
• multiclass traffic assignment

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The corresponding author was supported by the Université catholique de Louvain under the ‘Fonds Speciaux de Recherche’ and the ‘Erasmus +’ programmes.