This paper summarizes previous studies on the dynamic network analysis and discusses future research needs. First, the required constraints for the dynamic network analysis are introduced and the kinematic wave theory which illustrates queue evolution is explained. Second, three dynamic assignments of DUO (Dynamic User Optimal), DUE (Dynamic User Equilibrium), and DSO (Dynamic System Optimal) are summarized. Third, departure time choice models as well as the simultaneous route-departure time equilibrium model is introduced. Forth, as topics on traffic management, the latest analyses on the capacity paradox and the ramp control are briefly discussed. Finally, the future research needs are summarized.

View full abstract

Information provision has been widely deployed at many places, but the efficient ways of information provision, in other words, information provision strategies, have not been discussed well. This paper explores the drivers' choice behaviour under information provided because it is indispensable to discuss the information provision strategy. Especially, this paper tries to make clear how drivers update their reliability on information while they receive information repeatedly. For this purpose, parking choice in-laboratory experiment system is constructed, and the parking choice behavioural data are collected repeatedly. Using these data, the logit-type discrete choice model is constructed and estimated. Through the parameters estimated, the drivers' updating processes of information reliability are studied.

View full abstract

This paper, at first, describes about a theoretical analysis for the capacity of toll plaza with both ETC and non-ETC tollgates. The analysis described bere considers not only the number and the type (“ETC only”, “non-ETC only” or “both together”) of tollgates but also the stock space bofore tollgates and the penetration of ETC equipment on vehicles. In case of the toll plaza with “non-ETC only” and “both together” tollgates, this analysis concludes that the improvement of capacity does not depend on any combination of tollgates but on the penetration rate of ETC equipment. This analysis also tells that the capacity of the toll plaza with “ETC only” and “non-ETC only” tollgates will be worse than the one of all “non-ETC only” tollgates in case of heavy traffic but low ETC penetration rate. In the last part, a simulation model to evaluate ETC toll plaza is developed and verified by comparing with the theoretical analysis.

View full abstract

This study proposes a realistic method to evaluate impacts of dynamic traffic information provision, and the method is applied to a real urban expressway network using observed OD volumes. Although traffic information has been dynamically provided through VMS, on-board equipment, highway radio etc., the impacts on traffic have not been well evaluated by taking the daily OD demand fluctuation. We therefore propose a new evaluation method considering the OD demand variation and show a possibility that the information provision may lead to total travel time increase. To examine this possibility, the method is then applied to the Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway network for one month. As a result, it is confirmed that dynamic traffic information provision would not be effective under regular traffic conditions except at the beginning of a peak. However, the benefit arises in unusual traffic conditions caused by incidents.

View full abstract

This study proposes the dynamic route switching model focused on the change in drivers' route choice behavior under multiple traffic information sources. In this route switching model, the state dependence effect on the previous decision making of route choices is considered by explicitly using the behavioral equilibrium condition in which the behavior itself is completely independent at time-variant. Furthermore, the active information acquisition behavior model under multiple traffic information sources is incorporated into the dynamic route switching model to represent the heterogeneity of reaction to the information. Also, the internal validity of the model was verified with consecutive route choice and information acquisition data collected by the travel simulator over computer networks. Consequently, it was confirmed that this enabled to alleviate the bias in conventional static route choice model.

View full abstract

The aim of this paper is to systematize the townscape design based on a sensational synthetic theory of cerebrum of human being.
We have extended usual landscape engineering by the introduction of concept of human cerebral functions into it, made certain theory of townscape design, and described among human cerebrum, mind, and the essence of city through memorial cities in Europe, and interpreted the relationship between the human cerebral functions and the essence of cities. Based on the analytical result mentioned above, we make an attept to systematize the townscape design.

View full abstract

Importance of flow effects generated in the process of constructing infrastructure has been stressed in cost benefit analysis. There are however some misleading discussions on the effects, particularly on accounting of tax revenue changes. This paper examines cancel out property of tax revenue changes in some typical situations in the framework of a Simple General Equilibrium Model and Benefit Incidence Table. Then, on the basis of the theoretical derivation of the effects. the paper proposes a very practical method for accounting prices including tax in cost benefit analysis.

View full abstract

We propose an extended user equilibrium assignment model for an urban road network induding expressways in this paper. In this model a diversion function for determining the ratio of traffic demand using expressways between each OD pair is determined endogenously from the equivalent optimization formulation, and the user equilibrium conditions can be held based on travel time for arterial road users but based on general travel time considering the toll load for expressway users. This new model is applied to the Nagoya metropolitan arterial road network and the results show good accuracy and practicability.

View full abstract

The possibility of using mobile communication devices for travel activity survey is discussed. The PHS based system gives the precise location of an individual. Through the field test in Osaka, it is found that a person will be at the calculated position within 180 meters of the accuracy with 90% of confidence. A rule-based procedure of transforming the positioning data to the activity diary of individuals is developed. A series of individual data is calculated in the conditions of the maximum moving distance and the minimum stopping time. The estimated time-space path in a day is compared with the travel diary obtained by the questionnaire survey of the conventional form. It is found that the estimated travel diary using the PHS data is consistent with the diary of the conventional survey form. The mobile communication systems would be available in a supplemental survey of a large scale travel behaviour survey.

View full abstract

Recently, the role of regional area transportation plan is getting important and the citizen urge the government to open the decision-making processes. Both of the planning organization and the citizen begin to realize the need of Public Involvement (PI) that means the planning organization proceed the planing process with presenting their idea to the citizen. But, the research about the way of PI in Japan isn't enough. In this study, a large citizen survey was carried out to the same respondents twice in order to “confirm” their answers, “deliberate” to the questions, and “criticize” the result of survey. Then, the characteristics of citizen's consciousness to the PI techniques used in the planning process were analyzed. Some notices in carrying out an citizen survey and the effectiveness of delphi method were confirmed.

View full abstract

The present paper aims to analyze the market structure of Asian-Pacific container cargo flow. First, it is regarded that the market is consisted by two different types of economic subject; the linership companies as the carriers and the shippers as the users. Each subject's behavior is formulated. Second, it is shown that the equilibrium vessel frequency and the container cargo flow are obtained as the Nash type equilibrium solution. And the equilibrium conditions are shown. Thrid, the model is applied to the real Asian-Pacific container cargo transportation network, and the structural features of the Asian-Pacific container cargo transport network are understood.

View full abstract

In this paper, a contingent valuation method is presented to measure households' willingness-to-pay for the project to improve the handicapped's mobility. The willingness-to-pay by egoistic, altruistic and paternalistic motives of the non-handicapped towards the project can be estimated by the proposed measures. The applicability of the methodology presented in this paper is investigated by an application example.

View full abstract