Application of cross-nested logit route choice model in stochastic user equilibrium traffic assignment

Most stochastic user equilibrium (SUE) model applications reported in the literature are based on the multinomial logit (MNL) model. This paper presents a SUE assignment based on the cross-nested logit (CNL) route choice model, which can better represent route choice behavior. The paper develops path-based algorithms to solve the CNL-SUE problem based on adaptation of the disaggregate simplicial decomposition method. The algorithms differ for the step-size determination; three different methods are considered. The algorithms are tested in two well-known networks. Two main tests are conducted: (a) the impact of the CNL model parameters on the assignment results is analyzed and (b) the differences between the CNL-SUE and the MNL-SUE solutions are investigated. The results indicate that the path-based algorithm with Armijo's step-size rule outperforms other step-size determinations. This paper indicates that depending on the model parameters, particularly the nesting coefficient, the CNL-SUE path flows may be quite different from the MNL-SUE path flows.