The Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) has selected a Dynameq dynamic traffic assignment (DTA) and traffic simulation model to assign and simulate trip chains from their existing disaggregate activity-based travel model (ABM). MAG plans to use Dynameq in a state-of-the-art integrated ABM-DTA model to link travel behavior choices such as departure time, route choice, mode choice and others, with congested network conditions to better reflect real-world dynamics in the model system.

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Building on lessons learned from previous FHWA Strategic Highway Research Program 2 (SHRP2) C10 work, MAG initiated a competitive pilot study to select a DTA model for their next-generation integrated ABM-DTA model. Submissions were evaluated against multiple technical criteria by a team from Northwestern University, Arizona State University (ASU) and MAG staff.

Phase 1 of the project work has been concluded with the development and selection of the Dynameq pilot model. Developed rapidly using MAG's existing macroscopic travel model network, the DTA model includes accurate geographic representation of streets, transit networks, ramp meters and signal timing plans, and assigns current and future year scenarios, some with over 20 million individual vehicle trips. A mix of traffic classes including SOV, HOV2, HOV3 and taxi as well as transit itineraries and schedules are also modeled.

Going forward, the INRO team along with project partners MAG, WSP and academic advisors from ASU and Northwestern, will be pursuing state-of-the-art integrations between Dynameq and the MAG ABM to achieve accelerated behavioral consistency and stable activity patterns with individualized level of service detail.

About MAG

The Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) is a Council of Governments (COG) that serves as the regional planning agency for the metropolitan Phoenix area.