A stochastic User Equilibrium assignment model for the evaluation of parking policies

Analytical tools are required in modelling the transportation system and, in turn, the whole urban system. In this paper a model is presented which is useful in the evaluation of parking policies, which play an important role in transportation system management. The model consists of a supply model, a demand model and a supply/demand interaction model. The supply representation is network-based and proper functions are introduced in order to simulate the attributes related to parking choices. In particular, a behavioural approach is presented to simulate the searching time for an available parking space. The demand side of the model consist of a stochastic choice model applied to the path and parking levels of choice within a dynamic approach. Thus, the other levels of mobility choices are descriptively treated, giving rise to O/D matrices characterised by purpose of trip and desired duration of parking. In this implementation the O/D matrices are considered fixed and exogenously given. The removal of this hypothesis does not present theoretical problems. A multi-user equilibrium problem is solved and its theoretical properties are investigated. An application of the model is presented in order to show the capabilities of the model applied to a real network.