7.

6 Trip Distribution
Trip Distribution
Trip Distribution involves modeling the distribution of trips generated by each origin
zone attracted to each destination zone. The output of this process will be a matrix of Trip
Distributions for Oi to Destination Dj – i.e., Tij – such that:

Figure 7.5.1. The Origin-Destination Table (OD Matrix)

Distribution Models

Growth Factor/Fratar Method

The simplest method to distribute trips in a study area.
 The simplest method to distribute trips in a study area.

Assumptions:
1. The distribution of future trips from a given origin zone is proportional to the present
trip distribution
2. This future distribution is modified by the growth factor of the zone to which these
trips are attached.

The Fratar Equation:

where:

Oif and Oi0 = future and base-year origin trips from zone i.

Djf and Dj0 = future and base-year destination trips from zone j

Tijf and tij0 = future and base-year trips from zone i to zone j

Example:
1. An origin zone i with 20 base-year trips going to zones a, b, and c numbering 4, 6, and
10, respectively, has growth rates of 2, 3, 4, and 5 for i, a, b, and c, respectively.
Determine the future trips from i to a, b, and c in the future year.

Given:
tia0 = 4, tib0 = 6, tic0 = 10

Growth rates: i = 2, a = 3, b = 4, c = 5
Solution:
Future trips:

2. A 3-by-3 trip table representing a total of 2500 trips is shown in the following table,
which is for the base year.

The next table indicates the origin and destination growth factors for the horizon year.

Use the Fratar technique to distribute the trips in the horizon year.

Solution:
Solution:
In the horizon year, the desired trip table should resemble the following matrix, where the
row and column total equal the corresponding base-year totals multiplied by the origin
and destination growth factors.

The next step is to multiply the destination growth factors (DGF) by the cell numbers,
giving the following matrix:

However, the actual row total and the desired row total do not match, and a set of row
factors to correct them is calculated. Now we multiply the row factors by the cell figures in
the preceding matrix to obtain cell values as follows:

Again, the column totals do not match the desired column totals, and therefore a set of
column factors are derived that will possibly correct the situation. The column factors are
multiplied by the cell figures of the matrix, giving us a new matrix:
Once again, the row totals and column totals are calculated, and the process goes
through for a second time, producing a good enough matrix for planning purposes.

Another iteration,

Therefore, the final O-D table would be

Gravity Model
The most widely used trip distribution model
 The most widely used trip distribution model
The model states that the number of trips between two zones is directly proportional to
the number of trip attractions generated by the zone of destination and inversely
proportional to a function of time of travel between the two zones.

Equation:

where:

Tij = number of trips that are produced in zone i and attracted to zone j

Pi = total number of trips produced in zone i

Aj = number of trips attracted to zone j

Fij = a value that is an inverse function of travel time

Kij = socioeconomic adjustment factor for interchange ij

Single Constrained vs. Doubly Constrained Model

1. Singly Constrained model – when information is available about the expected growth
trips originating in each zone only or the other way, trips attracted to each zone only.
2. Doubly Constrained model – when information is available on the future number of
trips originating and terminating in each zone.

For a doubly constrained gravity model, the adjusted attraction factors are computed
according to the formula

where:

Ajk = adjusted attraction factor for attraction zone (column) j, iteration k

Ajk = Aj when k = 1

Cjk = actual attraction (column) total for zone j, iteration k

Aj = desired attraction total for attraction zone (column) j

j = attraction zone number, j = 1, 2, ..., n

k = iteration number, k = 1, 2, ..., m

 m = number of iterations

Example:
A small town has been divided into three traffic zones. An origin-destination survey was
conducted earlier this year and yielded the number of trips between each zone, as shown
in the table below. Travel times between zones were also determined. Provide a trip
distribution calculation using the gravity model for two iterations. Assume Kij = 1.

The following table shows the number of productions and attractions in each zone:

The survey’s results for the zones’ travel time in minutes were as follows:

The following table shows travel time versus friction factor.

Solution:
The mathematical formulation for the gravity model is given by:

Since Kij = 1, this factor does not affect calculations. The iterative application of the
gravity formula is as follows:

Iteration 1:
The trip matrix after iteration 1 is:

Next, we calculate the adjusted attraction factors using the equation

Zone 1:
 Zone 1:

Zone 2:

Zone 3:

Now, we apply the gravity model formula for Iteration 2 using the adjusted attraction
factors.

Iteration 2:
 The trip matrix after iteration 2 is:

Observe that the computed attractions are approximately equal to the given attractions. A
total convergence would be expected in another iteration.

Recommended Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6JsaC5Hxuk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=i6JsaC5Hxuk)

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6JsaC5Hxuk)