Equilibrium Trip Scheduling in Bottleneck Model with Stochastic Capacity

Abstract

In this paper we develop a novel bottleneck model which assumes that the capacity of the bottleneck is stochastic and follows uniform distribution. Commuters form a heterogeneous population with distinctive requirements on the probability of punctual arrival and the commuters' trip scheduling follows user equilibrium (UE) principle in terms of the mean travel cost. The analytical solution of the proposed model is derived. Both analytical and numerical results show that the stochastic capacity plays a significant role in the commuters' travel choice pattern during the rush hour.