Modeling intermodal auto-rail commuter networks

A methodological framework is presented for evaluating the operating and pricing policies in an intermodal auto-rail network. Since the network is considered as one system, traffic flows and travel costs are optimized for the whole system and not for separate auto and transit networks. The central of the framework is an equilibrium demand-supply model consisting of a mode choice and a traffic assignment submodel. To demonstrate the capabilities of the framework, it is applied to an intermodal network and used to analyze several policies. These policies are evaluated based on user costs, and transit and highway operator's costs and revenues.