Page 1 of 2

The dynamic network microsimulation model DRACULA (Dynamic Route Assignment Combining User Learning and microsimulation) has been developed at University of Leeds since 1993 (Liu et al 1995). It is a new approach to modelling road traffic networks, in which the emphasis is on the “micro-simulation” of individual trip makers’ choices and individual vehicles’ movements. It represents directly driver choices as they evolve from day to day combined with a detailed within-day traffic simulation model of the space-time trajectories of individual vehicles according to car-following, lane-changing rules and intersection regulations. It therefore provides strong interaction between demand and supply. The DRACULA framework combines a number of sub-models. A day-to-day choice model simulates for each potential traveller - based on individual drivers’ knowledge of the network, their past experience and perceived network condition of the day - whether to travel, if so, the route to be taken, and the preferred departure time. This information is then passed to the traffic model which simulates individual vehicles movements through the network following the routes chosen and records their travel performance. At the end of the day (the study period), a learning model updates the experiences of each individuals and stores the information in their travel history files which, to a greater or lesser extent, influence their next day’s choices.

Pages [1][2]