Approaches for solving the stochastic equilibrium assignment with variable demand: internal vs. external solution algorithms

• Published in: Optimization methods & software Vol. 30; no. 2; pp. 338 - 364
• Main Authors: Cantarella, G.E., de Luca, S., Di Gangi, M., Di Pace, R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis 04.03.2015; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Algorithms; Computer programs; Conjoint analysis; Convergence; Demand; Economic models; Efficiency; Equilibrium; equilibrium approach; external approach; fixed-point; internal approach; Logit models; Mathematical models; MSA; Optimization; Software; Stochasticity; traffic assignment; variable/elastic demand
• ISSN: 1055-6788; 1029-4937
• DOI: 10.1080/10556788.2014.966823

This paper proposes and compares different approaches within the general fixed-point framework that allows to deal with multi-user (stochastic) equilibrium assignment with variable demand (VD). The aim was threefold: (i) compare the efficiency and the effectiveness of the internal and the external approaches to stochastic equilibrium assignment with VD; (ii) investigate the efficiency and the effectiveness of different algorithms based on the method of successive averages and its extensions; (iii) investigate the effects of different averaging schemes, different convergence criteria and different path choice models, such as Multinomial Logit model, C-Logit model and Multinomial Probit model. Analyses were carried out with respect to a real network and considering different indicators of both efficiency and effectiveness.