URBAN TRAFFIC NETWORK MODELS AND DYNAMIC DRIVER INFORMATION-SYSTEMS

The potential for using advanced technology to influence traffic movem ent and travel behaviour has generated a massive interest throughout t he developed world. In-vehicle, dynamic driver information and dynamic route guidance systems have probably attracted the most attention, wi th many research activities and field trials planned or currently in p rogress. Network simulation models have a key role to play, both in as sessing the potential benefits (in order to justify the initial invest ment) and in determining the best means of implementation. There are m any who believe that existing models are deficient in a number of ways for evaluating such strategies, and a number have sought to develop n ew approaches. However, it takes a great many years for a new network model to be fully developed, tested, validated and accepted in the pra ctical world. This review article has three main objectives. First, a review of the state-of-the-art in existing network models is given, wi th respect to their ability to meet the main requirements for modellin g dynamic driver information systems. This is intended to aid practiti oners in selecting a model now for their own particular strategy and o bjectives. The modelling requirements have been identified from a surv ey of demonstration projects, laboratory experiments and attitudinal s tudies in this area. Secondly, recent and on-going research in the net work modelling area is reviewed, particularly with respect to the incr eased understanding of the requirements for simulating dynamic driver information systems which has arisen over the past five years. The int ention here is to assess whether current research activities are addre ssing the full range of issues and whether resources are being appropr iately divided. Finally, arising from these reviews, future research d irections and priorities are identified.