Agent-Based Route (and Mode) Choice Simulation in Real-World Networks

Mode and route choice are central elements of traffic simulations. Traditionally they form two subsequent steps in the four-step process where first, the simulated population distributes among available transportation modes and then their movement is assigned to the roads respectively other networks. However, these two phases are better dealt with simultaneously as choices are highly depending on each other. In this paper, we are suggesting an agent-based combined route and mode choice model that is not only able to resemble traditional simulations, but provides the means for new applications. As the simulated agents are active and situated while moving through the network, they are able to react to unforeseen events such as the closing of a link. Thus we can reproduce the self-organized re-distribution of travelers to new routes depending on when/where they are notified about the problem. We illustrate the feasibility and usefulness of our agent-based mode and route choice simulation using a real-world network of a small-size Swiss town.