Integrating discrete choice models with MATSim scoring

Agent-based transport simulations rely on realistic representation of agents’ movements in the transport system, but also on the simulation of choice making processes that resemble reality well. The MATSim framework uses the scoring-based co-evolutionary algorithm to achieve this, based on the principle of utility maximization. Discrete choice models are another common tool in transport planning which rely on the same principle. Through a toy example, the paper at hand shows that the direct use of discrete choice parameters in MATSim is not a technically sound approach, but that a consistent integration can be achieved by generating deterministic pseudo-errors based on cryptographic hash functions. Further caveats with integrating choice parameters in MATSim scoring are discussed.