Calibration of Multi-region MFD Models using Mobile Phone Data

The present work proposes a framework to calibrate MFD models using mobile phone data. The three major components to calibrate in the present context include MFD shape, regional trip lengths and path flow distribution. Time dependent penetration rates are estimated by fusing the OD matrix and the Loop Detector Data (LDD). The estimated MFDs are stable with very low scatter. In the following step, macro-paths and their corresponding trip lengths are estimated. Dynamic evolution of trip lengths is demonstrated using the present data, which is otherwise very difficult to capture with other types of data sources. Another important component calibrated is the time dependent path flow distribution between the different macropaths for a given OD pair. The manuscript is concluded by presenting the time evolution of the User Equilibrium (UE) gap for different macroscopic OD pairs.