Transport & Planning, TU Deflt, The Netherlands
November 27, 2008, 12:00, Room GC A3 31 (click here for the map)
<p>This talk addresses the development of theory and models to explain, predict, and manage dynamic network transportation and traffic operations in case of exceptional events (e.g. incidents, adverse weather conditions, flooding, bushfires). The dynamics involve traveller responses, impacts of the event on infrastructure, the uncertain event dynamics, the spatio-temporal propagation of the event impacts, and the countermeasures (information, guidance, control). These are analysed in a dynamic game-theoretic setting considering three actors: network authorities, network users, and fate (the exceptional event). </p><p> We focus on travel behaviour and traffic operations in relation to the degrading infrastructure (roads, public transit networks, communication, etc.). The transportation system itself is characterised by a high degree of freedom and multitude of choice alternatives of its users and by the fact that the users� reactions � in terms of driving behaviour, route choice, compliance to an evacuation plan, etc. � are an essential but also uncertain component of the system response. </p><p> During the talk, the newly developed model EVAQ will be introduced. We will explain the main characteristics of the model, and show its application to several case studies. Next to this, we will also show how the model can be used for the optimization of evacuation schemes using dedicated optimization algorithms. In doing so, we show that the efficiency of the evacuation can be improved drastically. </p>
<p>In 2006, Hoogendoorn was appointed the Antoni van Leeuwenhoek professorship on the topic �traffic flow theory and simulation�. Before that, he has been working as an Associate Professor at the Transport & Planning department of Delft University of Technology. He is the author of about 70 journal articles and over 200 conference contributions. </p><p> In the past five years, his research has involved theory, modelling, and simulation of traffic and transportation networks, focussing on innovative approaches to collect detailed, microscopic traffic data and the use of these data to underpin the models and theories using new techniques for model identification. The data collection methods have been applied to a multitude of situations in which driving behaviour could not be studied until now (e.g. adverse weather conditions, narrow lanes, work zones, incident sites). Analyses of these data have resulted in new insights into the large differences in driving behaviour (in terms of car-following, and lane changing) in case of normal and non-recurrent conditions. </p><p> Under his supervision, the pedestrian flow research was also furthered. The NOMAD pedestrian simulation model developed during the project �Collective Walking Behaviour in Public Spaces�. The model has been applied in several commercial projects in order to solve design problems. The model functionality (evacuation modelling, revolving doors, train access and egress) was extended based on new walking experiments. </p><p> Hoogendoorn has initiated and supervised the NWO-AMICI (�Advanced Multi-agent Information and Control of multiclass Integrated traffic networks�) programme, which was aimed at developing new models and control strategies for regional traffic networks. Furthermore, research on travel behaviour in uncertain situations and the impact of traffic information thereon has lead to the development of the Travel Simulator Laboratory (TSL), which is an interactive laboratory to study the travel behaviour dynamics. </p><p> Currently, research on evacuation modelling for buildings and for regional networks is being performed. Hoogendoorn is involved in the upcoming evacuation training (TMO projec) pertaining to the evacuation of the Rijnmond area (area around Rotterdam). Finally, he is organizing the ICEM�09 (first International Conference on Evacuation Modelling and Management; September 2009).</p>