| This thesis presents a new model, called the CHOICE model. This model is a step closer to a more complete model for evaluating, in an integrated fashion, traveller mode, route and departure time choices made in response to subtle and innovative changes to either a transportation network or information about the network. The types of changes in question may be transportation demand management strategies, or intelligent transportation systems such as dynamic tolling, adaptive signal control, and advanced transportation information systems.; The methodology on which the model is based is consistent with the traditional four step decision-making process: choice definition, alternative generation, alternative attribute determination, and decision rule. At the heart of the model is the decision rule. The decision rule is based on a set of variables which determine the travel cost of a particular mode, route, and departure time choice for each traveller. Each traveller has associated with him or her a number of personal preferences, which can be completely individual, or can be described for a population by means of some probability distribution. An additional key feature of the model is its link to a traffic simulation tool to generate the associated network travel impedances.; The results of the model are compared in this thesis with the results of existing traffic assignment and mode choice techniques for a set of hypothetical case studies. The model is shown to provide consistent results when compared with those techniques, whether the methodology is applied analytically, or operationalized in the form of a computer program. Based on these results, the CHOICE model is also used to evaluate changes in departure times for travellers faced with a recurrent congestion pattern. The results of this evaluation show that the model produces results consistent with the current, though limited, research in this area. |
