An Integer Programming Formulation
for Optimal Mode-Specific Route
Assignment
Aathira K. Das and Bhargava Rama Chilukuri
Abstract Traffic in developing countries has a heterogeneous vehicular mix that
uses all the network links and lacks lane discipline. Modeling and controlling such a
mixed traffic system are challenging since most of the well-established models were
developed for homogeneous traffic. It is hypothesized that segregating the mixed
traffic by assigning a unique mode to each link will enhance system capacity. Towards
achieving it, this paper proposes optimal mode-route assignment formulations with
the objective of minimizing the total system travel time. However, perfect segregation
is not always possible since the solution depends on the network topography. A viable
solution is to make some links multi-modal. Another formulation is also presented
in this paper to address this issue. Both the formulations are demonstrated using
sample networks. Linear and nonlinear integer mathematical programming methods
are used to explore the qualitative characteristics of optimal mode-route assignment
using the single-path routing method. The results indicate that, in the worst case where
perfect segregation is not possible, proposed formulation II can identify network with
the least number of the multi-modal links. This research will help to develop effective
strategies to model, control, and enhance the safety of mixed traffic networks.
Keywords Mode-route assignment · Optimization · Multi-modal networks
1 Introduction
The rapid urbanization of cities, coupled with population growth, has resulted in
increased trip rates, traffic volumes, vehicular miles, vehicular delay, and traffic
congestion in major metropolitan cities across the globe. Traffic congestion occurs
whenever traffic demand exceeds the road capacity. However, capacity expansion
A. K. Das (B ) · B. R. Chilukuri
Civil Engineering Department, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
e-mail: aathirakdas01@gmail.com
B. R. Chilukuri
e-mail: bhargava@iitm.ac.in
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020
S. S. Arkatkar et al. (eds.), Recent Advances in Traffic Engineering,
Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering 69,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-3742-4_33
531