Personalized real-time traffic information provision: Agent-based optimization model and solution framework

•Propose agent-based optimization modeling framework to provide personalized traffic information.•Develop a dynamic flow based integer programming model to optimize various information strategies.•Propose analytical model can be solved efficiently using standard optimization solvers.•Develop a Lagrangian Relaxation-based heuristic within a mesoscopic dynamic traffic simulator.

The advancement of information and communication technology allows the use of more sophisticated information provision strategies for real-time congested traffic management in a congested network. This paper proposes an agent-based optimization modeling framework to provide personalized traffic information for heterogeneous travelers. Based on a space–time network, a time-dependent link flow based integer programming model is first formulated to optimize various information strategies, including elements of where and when to provide the information, to whom the information is given, and what alternative route information should be suggested. The analytical model can be solved efficiently using off-the-shelf commercial solvers for small-scale network. A Lagrangian Relaxation-based heuristic solution approach is developed for medium to large networks via the use of a mesoscopic dynamic traffic simulator.