On the existence of pricing strategies in the discrete time heterogeneous single bottleneck model

In this paper, we study the pricing strategies in the discrete time single bottleneck model with general heterogeneous commuters. We first prove that in the system optimal assignment, the queue time must be zero for all the departures. Based on this result, the system optimal problem is formulated as a linear program. The solution existence and uniqueness are discussed. Applying linear programming duality, we then prove that the optimal dual variable values provide an optimal toll with which the system optimal solution is also an equilibrium solution. Extensive computational results are reported to demonstrate the insights gained from the formulations in this paper. These results confirm that a system optimal equilibrium can be found using the proposed approach.

► The formulation of the system optimum based pricing model for heterogeneous commuters. ► The solution existence and uniqueness for this formulation. ► A rigorous characterization of the system optimum based equilibrium. ► An algorithm to determine the dynamic prices in a single bottleneck model. ► Extensive computational results to demonstration how prices can be comput.