Institute of Transportation, MOTC

　　　　The need for a method to provide time-dependent estimates of traffic flows and associated performance measures in networks arises in several problem area , such as the advanced traffic management systems(ATMS) and advanced traveler information systems (ATIS). Four different approaches, including mathematical formulations, optimal control theory, variational inequalities, and simulation-based approach, have been applied in developing dynamic traffic assignment (DTA). In this study, the concept of Texas approach ─ micro-simulation-based DTA, is introduced and explored. The core of the procedure is DYNASMART, a simulation- assignment model is used to replace link-performance and exit functions. Numerical experiments on a test network and a real network are conducted to investigate time-dependent flow patterns and real-time dynamics under a wide variety of assumptions on assignment rules.