Analysis of Interrelated Network Improvement Alternatives

Project Abstract

This proposed project will develop simulation and optimization methods for analyzing, selecting, and scheduling interrelated improvement alternatives for transportation networks. The interrelations may arise from changes in network flows and resulting user benefits, from constraints affecting multiple projects, and from various possible synergies. The methods will jointly analyze different types of alternatives, including new construction, post-disruption restoration, maintenance, operations, and pricing. The methods will analyze and seek to coordinate alternatives implemented by different agencies and jurisdictions, from different funding pools. They will consider funding mechanisms and constraints, equity factors, agency priorities, and uncertainties regarding demand growth, costs, budgets and implementation times. These methods are expected to improve the ability of various transportation agencies to efficiently allocate their limited resources, coordinate their development plans, deal with disruptions, and improve the capacity, service quality and overall performance of transportation systems.

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Universities Involved

University of Maryland

Virginia Tech

Principle Investigator

Dr. Paul Schonfeld, UMD

Dr. Hesham Rakha, Virginia Tech

Funding Sources and Amounts

USDOT: $120,000; UMD: $36,000; VT: $24,000

Start Date

Oct. 1, 2021

Expected Completion Date

Feb. 28, 2023

Expected Research Outcomes

Methods will be developed for optimizing the selection, sequencing and scheduling of various types of improvements for road networks. The final report will document the developed methods and case study results obtained with them. The methods will be presented at conferences and in peer-reviewed publications.

Expected Equity Impacts and Benefits of Implementation

The methods will allow planners to incorporate equity constraints such as on the benefits and costs for various regions and socio-economic groups. They will also consider funding mechanisms and constraints, agency priorities, and uncertainties regarding demand growth, costs, budgets and implementation times. These methods are expected to improve the ability of various transportation agencies to efficiently allocate their limited resources, coordinate their development plans, deal with disruptions, and improve the capacity, service quality and overall performance of transportation systems.

Subject Areas

Regional transportation planning, investment planning and scheduling, maintenance planning, scheduling service restoration after disruptions