Parameters of Stochastic assignment

Stochastic assignment: Basis tab

Element

Description

Use current assignment result as initial solution

If this option is checked, the assignment will use existing paths and volumes of the previous assignment as initial solution.

Note

This option is recommended in the case of modified demand (e.g. due to 'Read matrix additionally' or matrix editing in the matrix editor). First, the former assignment result is scaled according to the new demand and then the assignment continues to calculate the new result. Usually, this requires less iterations than a complete recalculation. In this way, a lot of computation time can be saved in models with feedback from the assignment calculation to the demand calculation.

If this option has not been checked, the calculation starts from the unloaded network.

Global termination condition

Maximum number of iterations

The procedure terminates after the specified number of external iterations.

Termination condition for network balancing

Maximum number of iterations

Via this button, you can set the number of balancing iterations. The number may vary due to the fact, which of the external iterations is currently being calculated. This is why you can assign the steps of the external iteration to classes (Parameters of Equilibrium assignment).

Notes

In the first external iterations, in order to save computation time it might be useful to calculate a lower number of internal balancing iterations prior to searching for new paths.

The button label shows the current settings in brief.

Parameters in formulas

The procedure terminates as soon as the deviation of impedances and route volumes calculated in two subsequent iteration steps goes below a certain threshold. You may adjust the formula for the threshold.

Stochastic assignment: Impedance tab

For each demand segment chosen for the procedure, there is an Impedance tab. By clicking on the general impedance symbol, if necessary, you can set an additional special impedance for each demand segment via the complete path. You can, for example, model bicycle or heavy goods transport better. Also, the general impedance for each transport system which is displayed in the first line is used.

Element

Description

Coefficient

Factor by which the impedance is multiplied.

Property

You can insert a description here.

Formula

Specify here the formula for the user-defined impedance for each path for the relevant demand segment.

For bicycle traffic, for example, you can enter here the maximum slope [MAX:LINKS\SLOPE] on the entire path.

Notes: If you want to model bicycle traffic (Bicycle) with a stochastic assignment, you can find a helpful application example on modeling bicycle traffic in the directory C:\Users\Public\Documents\PTV Vision\PTV Visum 2024/Examples. The PrT Modeling Bicycle example illustrates how bicycle traffic can be modeled in Visum and includes recommendations on appropriate assignment parameters in the Recommendations for the settings of stochastic assignment section.

Stochastic assignment: Smoothing tab

The settings correspond to the settings of stochastic assignment (Parameters of Dynamic stochastic assignment)

Notes: The value range of the exponent is 0 – 2 in the Route volumes section.

For smoothing the route volumes, we recommend an exponent between 1 and 1.5.

Stochastic assignment: Search tab

On this tab, you define how to determine PrT routes.

Element

Description

Randomized search

Execute

If this option has been checked, the best-path search is performed several times, each time using different conditions: link impedances are randomly increased or reduced In this way, also less attractive routes are found. This option models the differences in the road users´ ratings.

Number of extra search iterations

Via this button, you can set the number of extra search iterations for finding more routes. The number may vary due to the fact, which of the external iterations is currently being calculated. This is why you can assign the steps of external iterations to classes (Setting the number of search iterations).

Notes

For saving computation time it might make sense to calculate a different number of extra search iterations in the first internal balancing iterations.

The button label shows the current settings in brief.

By default, no classes have been defined, thus, the number of search iterations is the same for all external iterations.

Sigma

Standard deviation of the normal distribution (with mean R‘) from which the randomly varied impedance is drawn.

Note

The power of the impedance R‘ goes into the calculation. An exponent of > 0.5 leads to increased scattering and thus to more alternative routes.

Random variation of the coefficients of the user-defined impedance components

Execute

If this option is selected, the search is also performed with normal distributions of faded impedances on network objects. This has the effect that several different paths remain for varying the coefficients. For this, in addition to the true coefficient sentence β_0,β_early,β_late,β_1,…,β_n additional coefficient sentences are used, for which the β_1,…,β_n come about by fading the original values. The coefficient sentences take effect only for the detour test and preselection.

Note

The option is available if you have defined user-defined impedances in an Impedance tab.

Detour test

Execute

Select this option to discard paths that match existing paths, except for one segment that is considerably longer than in the existing paths (Fundamentals: The procedure of stochastic assignment).

A path P is deleted if the following applies to an existing path P’ for a mesh

Via this formula you define how much longer the travel time of a route segment may be at the most before the longer path is discarded. Here, the travel time t0 in the unloaded network is used.

and the entire impedance of the path P is greater than the impedance of P' with respect to all coefficient sets

If this option is selected, an underlying path P is not discarded if it has, for at least one coefficient sentence, a better path evaluation at the demand segment level.

Setting the number of search iterations

1.  Make sure that in the Parameters: Stochastic assignment window, the Search tab is open (Stochastic assignment: Search tab).

2.  Click the button next to Number of extra search iterations.

The Number of extra search iterations window opens.

Element

Description

External iteration

Arrangement of the iteration steps of the external iteration in classes

Note

Double-click in the selected cell to edit the value.

The maximum class limit is no subject to changes.

Number of extra search iterations

Number of search iterations for determination of further routes

Note

Double-click in the selected cell to edit the value.

Create

Via this button you can create additional classes.

Notes

A new class is automatically added after the currently selected class. For the new class, the class limit is automatically set to the middle between the two neighboring class limits. If the new class is added to the topmost limit, the maximum value is raised automatically.

Double-click in the selected cell to edit the value.

The maximum class limit is no subject to changes.

Delete

Via this button, you remove the currently selected row.

3.  Confirm with OK.

The number of search iterations has been set for the defined classes of external iterations.

Stochastic assignment: Preselection tab

In this tab, you define how to select the found routes.

Element

Description

A route is deleted if

Here you define to which extent the current smoothed impedance and the travel time t0 of a route may exceed the values of the best route found. If all conditions are satisfied, the longer route is discarded. Here, the travel time t0 in the unloaded network is used.

Note

The smoothed impedance sums up from the impedances of all network objects traversed by the route.

Apply test once when route is found for the first time

If this option has been checked, only when finding the route for the first time, Visum checks whether it meets the criterion and should be dismissed. Afterwards, the route remains valid in all further iterations.

This option is enabled by default.

Stochastic assignment: Choice tab

In this tab, you define how to distribute the demand to the found routes.

Element

Description

Choice model

From the drop down list, select the appropriate choice model. The model controls the distribution of the demand to the individual routes according to the route impedances. For each choice model, you can set certain parameters (Fundamentals: Distribution models in the assignment).

Independence

Via these options you decide how to calculate the independence of the routes. You select the attribute and calculation method to be used (Fundamentals: Similarity of routes and commonality factor).

Define by t0

If this option has been checked, the similarity of two routes is calculated from the free-flow travel time. Here, the total routes are regarded.

Define by length

If this option has been checked, the similarity of two routes is calculated from the length. Here, the common section of the routes is regarded.

Precise calculation according to Cascetta

If this option has been selected, the commonality factor for the calculation of the independence of routes is calculated by means of the C Logit approach according to Cascetta.

Instant approximate calculation according to Ben Akiva

If this option has been checked, the Commonality factor, which enters the calculation of the independence, is calculated with a simpler approach according to Ben Akiva.

Notes

The calculation according to Cascetta requires a lot of calculation time due to the comparison of the routes in pairs; it is yet very precise.

Ben Akiva saves calculation time yet impairs the accuracy of the calculation results.

Stochastic assignment: Skims tab

You can calculate a skim matrix for the total impedance of the path, which includes the components of the impedance defined via the path. The skim matrix for the total path impedance is then calculated at the end of the stochastic assignment.

Element

Description

Skim 'Total path impedance'

Considered OD pairs

Here you can restrict the OD pairs to be evaluated to the active OD pairs, active origin zones, or pairs of active zones.

Calculate only OD pairs with a demand > 0

If this option has been checked, only OD pairs with a demand > 0 are regarded.

Weighting of paths

Method for skim value determination from the skims of all paths resulting from assignment

  • Minimum per skim

Value of the path with the smallest value

Maximum per skim

Value of the path with the highest value

  • Mean over paths

Mean value calculated from all paths

  • Mean over path volume

Mean value calculated from all paths and weighted by the particular path volumes

Code of the skim

Code of the skim for the total path impedance

Calculate skim 'Total path impedance' for the following demand segments

Here you define the demand segments for which the total path impedance is to be calculated.