Complex Dynamics Generated by Simultaneous Route and Departure Time Choice in Transportation Networks

Traffic assignment describes the process through which travellers choose their routes and departure times in order to optimize the realization of their goals (arrival at destination on time with minimal travel cost). In this choice process, available information and learning play a crucial role. The choices made by travellers impact the travel conditions of the network, thus the traffic assignment process on a network results from a fixed point process. The departure time choice is carried out day-to-day based on experience and learning. The route choice is carried out based on the instantaneous travel time in response to immediate information on a time scale of minutes. The processes involved in assignment, departure time and route choices, differ in their respective scopes, time-scales and operative principles. Therefore complex dynamics may occur in the day-to-day assignment process, including periodic orbits, multiple equilibria and possibly chaotic behaviour. Learning strategies play a significant role in the nature of possible dynamics.