Vol. 38 No. 1

Serge P. Hoogendoorn
Piet H.L. Bovy
Winnie Daamen

For the planning and design of walking infrastructure, characterized by the fact that the pedestrians can choose their paths freely in two-dimensional space, applicability of traditional discrete network models is limited. This contribution puts forward an approach for user-optimal dynamic assignment in continuous time and space for analyzing for instance walking infrastructure in a two-dimensional space. Contrary to network-based approaches, the theory allows the traffic units to choose from an infinite non-countable set of paths through the considered space. The approach first determines the continuous paths using a path choice model. Then, origin-destination flows are assigned and traffic condi-tions are calculated. The approach to determine a user-optimal assignment is heuristic and consists of a sequence of all-or-nothing assignments. An applica-tion example is presented, showing dynamic user equilibrium traffic flows through a realistic transfer station. The example is aimed at illustrating the dy-namic aspects of the modeling approach, such as anticipation on expected flow conditions, and predicted behavior upon catching or missing a connection.