Abstract
Use of Advanced Traveler Information Systems (ATIS) is considered a promising way to improve traffic condition by helping travelers to efficiently use existing transportation facilities. Unlike other components of advanced management systems, the effectiveness of traveler information technologies is determined primarily by the traveler’s awareness of the information, correct interpretation of the information, evaluation of its usefulness, and implementation of the recommended course of action. The problems to be studied in this research are: what information to provide, when, where, and what for. The research examines a wide variety of information dissemination schemes under technologies such as in-vehicle navigation systems, changeable message signs, GPS-based location systems and wireless or Internet based vehicle communication and routing. This study evaluates various route guidance systems via static and dynamic network optimization and traffic simulation models. Parametric studies are conducted on certain aspects, due to the lack of good models on driver response/compliance to ATIS information.,This study formulates mathematical problems for the evaluation of both IVNS and CMS as mixed equilibrium traffic assignment problems and evaluates two different route guidance objectives (User Equilibrium and System Optimum) by employing driver’s compliance model with varied level of unguided drivers’ perception error and market penetration. This study also formulates dynamic optimal route guidance problems and incorporates route guidance strategies into dynamic traffic simulation model. Performance of route guidance strategies for IVNS and CMS are compared via parametric simulation experiments. Special interest of the research is to investigate marketability and effectiveness of private information suppliers who are capable of monitoring traffic condition from their subscribers. The research addresses many issues involved in ATIS dissemination from standpoints of both theoretical evaluation and practical implementation. The dissertation also develops preliminary insights on networks with multiple information service vendors and the complex dynamics that result from it, which is valuable for future research and deployment of ATIS. The research methodology incorporates non-linear network optimization algorithms, heuristic optimizations as well as large network simulation schemes.