A comparison of system optimum and user equilibrium dynamic traffic assignments with schedule delays

One way to estimate the potential benefits of new traffic control and management systems is to compare the total cost incurred in equilibrium with the system optimized total cost. To do this, we formulate the dynamic traffic assignment models with schedule delays under the system optimum and user equilibrium principles and solve them using numerical methods. System optimum and user equilibrium dynamic assignments on an 18-arc test network are then compared in terms of total travel times and schedule delays at different levels of traffic congestion. This comparison provides important implications for the success of the intelligent transportation systems (ITS) in reducing traffic congestion.