Modeling the Morning Commute for Urban Networks with Cruising-for-parking: an MFD Approach

Abstract

This study examines the morning commute equilibrium with explicit consideration of cruisingfor-parking, and its adverse impacts on traffic congestion. The cruising-for-parking is modeled through a dynamic aggregated traffic model for networks or areas: the macroscopic fundamental diagram (MFD). Firstly, we formulate the morning equilibrium solution for a congested downtown network with cruising-for-parking. It is shown that the cruising-for-parking would yield smaller system or network outflow, and thus induce more severe congestion. We then develop a dynamic model of pricing for the network to reduce system travel cost including cruising time cost, moving time (the duration during which vehicles move to the destination but do not cruise for parking yet) cost and schedule delay cost. At the system optimum, the downtown network should be operating at the maximum production of the MFD, but the cruising effect is not fully eliminated. Also, it is shown that the time-dependent toll has a different shape than the classical Vickrey equilibrium fine toll. This analysis is then extended to the bi-modal commuting equilibrium with cruising-forparking in the auto side. In this case, besides departing earlier to enjoy less cruising time, travelers can take public transportation to avoid the cruising-for-parking. Similarly, the optimal dynamic toll is introduced to reduce traffic inefficiency due to cruising-for-parking and roadway congestion, and realize the bi-modal system optimum. Finally, analytical results are illustrated and verified with numerical studies.