Modeling capacity flexibility of transportation networks

Flexibility of the transportation system is one of the important performance measures needed to deal with demand changes. In this paper, we provide a quantitative assessment of capacity flexibility for the passenger transportation network using bi-level network capacity models. Two approaches for assessing the value of capacity flexibility are proposed. One approach is based on the concept of reserve capacity, which reflects the flexibility with respect to changes in terms of demand volume only. The second approach allows for variations in the demand pattern in addition to changes in demand volume in order to more fully capture demand changes. Two models are developed in the second approach to consider two types of capacity flexibility. The total capacity flexibility allows all users to have both route choice and destination choice when estimating capacity flexibility. The limited capacity flexibility estimates how much more demand volume could be added to a fixed demand pattern by allowing the additional demand to deviate from the fixed demand pattern. Numerical examples are provided to demonstrate the different concepts of capacity flexibility for a passenger transportation system under demand changes.

Research highlights
► Flexibility of the transportation system is one of the important performance measures needed to deal with demand changes.
► An assessment methodology for measuring capacity flexibility is proposed.
► Two approaches for assessing capacity flexibility are considered: (1) the concept of reserve capacity and (2) the network capacity and level of service model.
► These capacity flexibility measures are a useful means for assessing the capacity flexibility of transportation networks.