Enabling Network-Wide Tolling-Strategy Assessment via Customized Route-Choice Simulation Module

Abstract

AbstractTolling has been one of the most effective countermeasures against traffic congestion in metropolitan areas. Prior to the implementation of a tolling strategy, it was necessary to systematically evaluate the toll impacts on the transportation network. Microscopic simulation has been widely utilized as an evaluation tool in many traffic operation studies and practice. Most simulation tools on today’s market, however, do not carry the functionality needed for customized toll-strategy assessment with the built-in modules. With the booming adoption of congestion pricing nationwide, it is highly desirable to enable simulation-based evaluation of various tolling strategies through external module development for widely-used simulation tools. This paper presents an innovative method for developing highly customized tolling strategy simulation through external routing modules compatible with a widely-used simulation tool. Using a publicly-available module, customized tolling schemes and routing algorithms...