Agent-based transport simulation versus equilibrium assignment for private vehicle traffic in Gauteng

Abstract

This paper compares the performance of an agent-based microsimulation technology (MATSim) with that of an established equilibrium assignment model (EMME/2) for the private vehicle traffic demands description from the Gauteng Transportation Study 2000, commissioned by the Gauteng Department of Roads and Public Works. MATSim and EMME/2 produce similar volumes on high capacity links, but closer investigation reveals that MATSim agents also favour secondary routes to avoid congestion. MATSim produced a dramatically better distribution of travel times compared with reported values from the 2003 National Household Travel Survey.