| abstract |
A system and method provides a simulation of a complex network and movement and interdependencies between entities in the network. The system receives aggregated population data and a population synthesizer generates disaggregated population data representative of two different types of entities. The different entity types are then coupled to one another to form interdependent relationships. An activity generator generates typical activities for the entities. A route planner generates travel plans, including departure times and travel modes, for each entity to achieve daily activities. A micro-simulation module simulates movement of the individual entities in compliance with their travel plans. The system may include parallel processors to simulate thousands of roadway and transit segments, intersection signals and signs, transfer facilities between various transportation modes, traveler origins and destinations, and entities and vehicles. The system includes a framework and selector module that gathers the travel times from the simulation and uses them to re-plan activities and trips and re-run the simulation. The methods of the present invention produce appropriate dynamic behavior of the transportation network as a whole. |