Method and system for a traffic management system based on multiple classes

Abstract

A method of method of assigning routes for a plurality of users allocated to different classes is provided. A first group of users is identified based on a user classification, wherein each user of the first group of users has a first user classification. A second group of users is identified based on the user classification, wherein each user of the second group of users has a second user classification. The first user classification is different from the second user classification. A disutility value is calculated for each user of the first group of users and for each user of the second group of users using a travel disutility function based on an origin and a destination of each user of the first group of users and each user of the second group of users. A bi-level problem solver is executed to optimize the disutility value based on the user classification. A route is recommended for each user of the first group of users and for each user of the second group of users based on the bi-level problem execution.

1 . A device for assigning routes for a plurality of users allocated to different classes, the system comprising:
 a computer-readable medium having computer-readable instructions stored therein, the instructions comprising
 identifying a first group of users based on a user classification, wherein each user of the first group of users has a first user classification; 
 identifying a second group of users based on the user classification, wherein each user of the second group of users has a second user classification, wherein the first user classification is different from the second user classification; 
 calculating a disutility value for each user of the first group of users and for each user of the second group of users using a travel disutility function based on an origin and a destination of each user of the first group of users and each user of the second group of users; 
 executing a bi-level problem solver to optimize the disutility value based on the user classification; 
 recommending a route to each user of the first group of users and to each user of the second group of users based on the bi-level problem execution; 
   a communication interface, the communication interface sending the recommended route to each user of the first group of users and to each user of the second group of users; and   a processor, the processor coupled to the communication interface and to the computer-readable medium and configured to execute the instructions.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the travel disutility function is defined for each user of the first group of users and for each user of the second group of users. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the user classification may be based on one or more factor selected from the group consisting of a subscription fee, a transaction fee, a length of membership, a sponsorship, an advertisement income, a seniority ranking, and a service provider of the user. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the bi-level problem solver comprises:
 minimizing π j   rs (t) subject to π j   rs (t)≧π j-1   rs (t)∀r, s, j and π j   rs (t)≧π j   rs (t)∀r, s, i, j where π j   rs (t) is a minimum travel disutility for users in a user classification j departing an origin r at a time t toward a destination s and π ij   rs (t) is a travel disutility for a traveler i in the user classification j departing the origin r at the time t toward the destination s; and   minimizing π ij   rs (t) subject to π ijp   rs (t)≧π ij   rs (t)∀r, s, i, j, p where π ijp   rs (t) is the travel disutility for traveler i in class j departing origin r at time t toward destination s via route p and π ij   rs (t) is the minimum travel disutility for users i in class j departing origin r at time t toward destination s.   
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein executing the bi-level problem solver comprises:
 (a) determining first routes for each user of the first group of users and second routes for each user of the second group of users based on a minimum travel disutility assuming free-flow traffic conditions;   (b) assigning routes to each user of the second group of users based on the determined second routes;   (c) loading a traffic network with traffic flow based on the assigned routes;   (d) determining third routes for each user of the second group of users based on a minimum travel disutility considering the loaded traffic network; and   (e) repeating (b)-(d) for the first group of users as the second group of users.   
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the calculated travel disutility for each user of the first group of users is less than or equal to the calculated travel disutility for each user of the second group of users. 
   
   
       7 . A computer-readable medium having computer-readable instructions therein that, upon execution by a processor, cause the processor to assign routes for a plurality of users allocated to different classes, the instructions comprising:
 identifying a first group of users based on a user classification, wherein each user of the first group of users has a first user classification;   identifying a second group of users based on the user classification, wherein each user of the second group of users has a second user classification, wherein the first user classification is different from the second user classification;   calculating a disutility value for each user of the first group of users and for each user of the second group of users using a travel disutility function based on an origin and a destination of each user of the first group of users and each user of the second group of users;   executing a bi-level problem solver to optimize the disutility value based on the user classification;   recommending a route to each user of the first group of users and to each user of the second group of users based on the bi-level problem execution.   
   
   
       8 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 7 , wherein the travel disutility function is defined for each user of the first group of users and for each user of the second group of users. 
   
   
       9 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 7 , wherein the user classification may be based on one or more factor selected from the group consisting of a subscription fee, a transaction fee, a length of membership, a sponsorship, an advertisement income, a seniority ranking, and a service provider of the user. 
   
   
       10 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 7 , wherein the bi-level problem solver comprises:
 minimizing π j   rs (t) subject to π j   rs (t)≧π j-1   rs (t)∀r, s, j and π ij   rs (t)≧π j   rs (t)∀r, s, i, j where π j   rs (t) is a minimum travel disutility for users in a user classification j departing an origin r at a time t toward a destination s and π ij   rs (t) is a travel disutility for a traveler i in the user classification j departing the origin r at the time t toward the destination s; and   minimizing π ij   rs (t) subject to π ijp   rs (t)≧π ij   rs (t)∀r, s, i, j, p where π ijp   rs (t) is the travel disutility for traveler i in class j departing origin r at time t toward destination s via route p and π ij   rs (t) is the minimum travel disutility for users i in class j departing origin rat time t toward destination s.   
   
   
       11 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 7 , wherein executing the bi-level problem solver comprises:
 (a) determining first routes for each user of the first group of users and second routes for each user of the second group of users based on a minimum travel disutility assuming free-flow traffic conditions;   (b) assigning routes to each user of the second group of users based on the determined second routes;   (c) loading a traffic network with traffic flow based on the assigned routes;   (d) determining third routes for each user of the second group of users based on a minimum travel disutility considering the loaded traffic network; and   (e) repeating (b)-(d) for the first group of users as the second group of users.   
   
   
       12 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 7 , wherein the calculated travel disutility for each user of the first group of users is less than or equal to the calculated travel disutility for each user of the second group of users. 
   
   
       13 . A method of assigning routes for a plurality of users allocated to different classes, the method comprising:
 identifying a first group of users based on a user classification, wherein each user of the first group of users has a first user classification;   identifying a second group of users based on the user classification, wherein each user of the second group of users has a second user classification, wherein the first user classification is different from the second user classification;   calculating a disutility value for each user of the first group of users and for each user of the second group of users using a travel disutility function based on an origin and a destination of each user of the first group of users and each user of the second group of users;   executing a bi-level problem solver to optimize the disutility value based on the user classification;   recommending a route to each user of the first group of users and to each user of the second group of users based on the bi-level problem execution.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the travel disutility function is defined for each user of the first group of users and for each user of the second group of users. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the user classification may be based on one or more factor selected from the group consisting of a subscription fee, a transaction fee, a length of membership, a sponsorship, an advertisement income, a seniority ranking, and a service provider of the user. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the bi-level problem solver comprises:
 minimizing π j   rs (t) subject to π j   rs (t)≧π j-1   rs (t)∀r, s, j and π ij   rs (t)∀r, s, i, j where π j   rs (t) is a minimum travel disutility for users in a user classification j departing an origin r at a time t toward a destination s and π ij   rs (t) is a travel disutility for a traveler i in the user classification j departing the origin r at the time t toward the destination s; and   minimizing π ij   rs (t) subject to π ijp   rs (t)∀r, s, i, j, p where π ijp   rs (t) is the travel disutility for traveler i in class j departing origin r at time t toward destination s via route p and π ij   rs (t) is the minimum travel disutility for users i in class j departing origin r at time t toward destination s.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein executing the bi-level problem solver comprises:
 (a) determining first routes for each user of the first group of users and second routes for each user of the second group of users based on a minimum travel disutility assuming free-flow traffic conditions;   (b) assigning routes to each user of the second group of users based on the determined second routes;   (c) loading a traffic network with traffic flow based on the assigned routes;   (d) determining third routes for each user of the second group of users based on a minimum travel disutility considering the loaded traffic network; and   (e) repeating (b)-(d) for the first group of users as the second group of users.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the calculated travel disutility for each user of the first group of users is less than or equal to the calculated travel disutility for each user of the second group of users.