A cross entropy based multiagent approach for multiclass activity chain modeling and simulation

This paper attempts to model complex destination‐chain, departure time and route choices based on activity plan implementation and proposes an arc‐based cross entropy method for solving approximately the dynamic user equilibrium in multiagent‐based multiclass network context. A multiagent‐based dynamic activity chain model is developed, combining travelers’ day‐to‐day learning process in the presence of both traffic flow and activity supply dynamics. The learning process towards user equilibrium in multiagent systems is based on the framework of Bellman’s principle of optimality, and iteratively solved by the cross entropy method. A numerical example is implemented to illustrate the performance of the proposed method on a multiclass queuing network.