Comparing Delay Minimization and Emissions Minimization in the Network Design Problem

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Erin M. Ferguson - , Kittelson & Associates, Inc. (Author)
  • Jennifer Duthie - , University of Texas at Austin (Author)
  • S. Travis Waller - , University of New South Wales (Author)

Abstract

Traditionally, transportation road networks are designed for minimal congestion. Unfortunately, such approaches do not guarantee minimal vehicle emissions. To fill this apparent gap in network design research, an emissions network design problem and solution method is proposed in this article for the purposes of comparing to the traditional network design results. Three air pollutants are considered on two road networks. The model is formulated as a bi-level optimization problem and a solution is approximated using a genetic algorithm. The influence of demand uncertainty is also incorporated into the model. Designing for minimal congestion tends to increase emissions of criteria air pollutants. However, not adding capacity to a road network also increases emissions of pollutants. Therefore, an optimization problem and solution method, such as the emissions network design problem and solution method presented here, is useful for identifying capacity additions that reduce vehicle emissions. It is also useful for understanding the tradeoffs between designing a network for minimal congestion versus minimal vehicle emissions.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)288-302
Number of pages15
JournalComputer-Aided Civil and Infrastructure Engineering
Volume27
Issue number4
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2012
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes

External IDs

ORCID /0000-0002-2939-2090/work/141543812