A circuit simulation technique for network assignment problem

Abstract

In this paper, under the network user equilibrium principle (Wardrop, 1952), a method to use the analogous electric circuit to simulate network traffic assignment, and to measure the current flow and voltage of the electric circuit to present the result of traffic assignment is proposed. The basic ideas are using the resistance and constant voltage source combines the analogous electric circuit and using the current source presents the net traffic flow. Also, the nonlinear link cost function is approximated by the piecewise function. Finally, an example shows that an electric circuit simulating the network traffic assignment is workable.