Integrated Simulation-Optimization Framework for Assessing the Impact of I-66 Dynamic Toll Pricing on Pavement Deterioration and Maintenance Decisions

Abstract

Tolled facilities are undoubtedly expected to alter the distribution of traffic across the transportation network. On the other hand, traffic volumes and loading have an impact on deteriorating pavement conditions. These traffic volumes are considered by Departments of Transportation (DOTs) while allocating annual budgets to maintain and rehabilitate roadway segments to sustain pavement performance targets. This research studies the specific site around I-66 inside the Beltway, which newly applied dynamic tolls during a.m. and p.m. peak hours. An integrated traffic-management/pavement-treatment framework was applied to address both the operational and the pavement performance of the network. Aimsun hybrid macro/meso dynamic user equilibrium experiments were used to simulate the network with the modified cost function taking care of the dynamic pricing along the I-66 tolled facility. An optimization was Python-coded into a Pyomo framework to specify the optimal maintenance and rehabilitation treatment plan, taking into account critical condition index (CCI) deterioration based on the traffic load distribution on the network. Finally, the results of the simulation showed the importance of having an optimized treatment schedule to achieve optimal pavement performance outcomes, with a difference in CCI index that could range all the way from 68 to 95.