GABRIEL: Gis Activity-Based tRavel sImuLator. Activity Scheduling in the Presence of Real-Time Information

Abstract

A series of travel simulators have been developed in the past two decades under the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) umbrella. They have addressed issues such as reactions to advisory radio and variable message signs, use of navigation systems, route diversion, and mode choice. The objective of this paper is to present the design and implementation of a different kind of travel simulator. GABRIEL (Gis Activity-Based tRavel sImuLator) has as a foundation the activitybased approach and makes use of geographic information systems (GIS) as a development environment. The simulation scenario consists of a commute trip where two activities take place. En-route to the first destination, congestion occurs and subjects are requested to take action based on a set of alternatives. The simulator provides re-routing, destination substitution, dynamic geographic information and real-time information to aid users in their decision-making process. As a result it helps subjects in developing their ability to adapt given a particular scenario and allow researchers in understanding trip making, activity rescheduling, and the decision-making process from a comprehensive perspective.

The Impact of Real‐Time Information on Choices During the Commute Trip: Evidence from a Travel Simulator

“…Experimental scenario. The data set used results from a simulation data collection process using GABRIEL (Kwan and Casas 2006). GABRIEL has, as a main scenario, the individual's evening commute trip, as origin, The Ohio State University (OSU), as destination, home, and two intermediate activities created from information provided by the subjects prior to the experiment.…”

“…Under this scenario, the objective of this paper is to examine and discuss the impacts of real‐time information provision on travel behavior on a trip‐chain during the evening commute, when congestion is encountered. In particular, what alternatives are chosen to deal with congestion and what type of information influence the decision when using a data set that results from a simulation data collection process using GABRIEL: Gis Activity‐Based tRavel sImuLator in Columbus, OH (Kwan and Casas 2006).…”

Social Exclusion and the Disabled: An Accessibility Approach∗

“…The opportunity database contains the locations of different activities in the GBNR; it was created by geocoding the locations listed on the Internet Yellow pages for the region. The opportunities are based on four categories: dining, entertainment, shopping, and personal errands, with subcategories under each (see Kwan and Casas 2006).…”