New Dynamic Network Analysis Tools

Collaboration between TfNSW and the Research Centre for Integrated Transport Innovation (RCITI) at University of New South Wales (UNSW)
Dynamic network analysis tools

Collaboration between TfNSW and the Research Centre for Integrated Transport Innovation (RCITI) at University of New South Wales (UNSW) has supported the development of next generation of tools and techniques for analysing and managing arterial road network performance. Better modelling and analysis offers the opportunity to improve decision-making on what interventions may optimally improve the performance of arterial road networks, including real-time and capital works. Modelling was undertaken for two areas of arterial road management and development:

  • Real-time operational management focus (micro-interventions)

  • Improved modelling of potential capital works (macro interventions) to improve road travel reliability and performance

RCITI is based in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UNSW. Its research activities include a focus on finding better methods to plan and assess integrated transport systems, through the use of communication technology.

For this research project, conducted over three years, RCITI developed 4 applications:

  • Application 1: Development of real-time travel time prediction software to provide an effective and robust framework for predicting travel time during peak and off-peak periods at a corridor-level.

  • Application 2: Development and deployment of a metropolitan area dynamic assignment model (MADAM) for the great metropolitan Sydney region.

  • Application 3: Advancements on Application 1, through extending the real time travel-time prediction framework at the sub-network level, accounting for multiple origins and destinations.

  • Application 4: Robust network-wide prediction modelling which incorporates daily volatility, through a novel Strategic User Equilibrium DTA (StrDTA) modelling framework.

The development of the apps has made a significant contribution to the identification of major opportunities for both operational and planning benefits, including:

  • Identification of “at stress” sections for the road network

  • Improved reporting of network wide congestion costs

  • Derivation of network reliability measures

  • Impact evaluation of major network changes

  • Targeted customer information dissemination for major projects.

TfNSW is continuing to work with RCITI in identifying further research that will potentially build on the work undertaken to date.