DYNAMIC-SYSTEMS, VARIATIONAL-INEQUALITIES AND CONTROL THEORETIC MODELS FOR PREDICTING TIME-VARYING URBAN NETWORK FLOWS

In this paper, rue set forth certain axioms for a positive theory of d ynamic urban network flows. We then show that mathematical models whic h fulfill these axioms may be created by adapting and extending certai n fundamental notions from microeconomics and nonlinear systems theory . We further show that models created in this fashion, using concepts of fast and slow dynamic processes, may be manipulated into a variety of mathematical forms, thereby providing a synthesis of dynamic system s, variational inequality and control theoretic perspectives for predi cting dynamic urban network flows. We close with a discussion of the i mplications of this synthesis for route guidance and intelligent vehic le infrastructure. Throughout, our presentation is at a conceptual lev el; the mathematical arguments are purposely not rigorous to embrace t he widest possible readership.