Robust model-based optimization of evacuation guidance

This thesis is a result from a project funded by ITS Edulab (a cooperation between Rijkswaterstaat and Delft University of Technology) and the Netherlands Research School for Transport, Infrastructure and Logistics TRAIL, and it is co-sponsored by the NWO project " Travel Behaviour and Traffic Operations in case of Exceptional Events " (Project number 453-08-006). Preface Prior to starting my master's thesis I had never before considered starting a PhD project. However, more than four years ago, when I had nearly finished, I felt that the research into my thesis subject was not finished yet. And so, a PhD-project was started. Now, four years later, this thesis is the result. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people who have been most important to me during this PhD project. First of all, I would like to thank my supervisors Serge and Andreas: both of you have contributed a lot by making valuable suggestions, discussing and challenging my ideas and commenting on my work. Andreas, thank you for your involvement, and Serge, thank you for your continuous enthusiasm. Not only did it make me start the project in the first place, it also motivated me during the years. Of course, it is not all about work, and I have been really glad with my colleagues at the department. Especially, I really liked our group of PhD(candidate)s and I am happy I have been sharing these years with you. You made this period a really enjoyable time, for which I would like to thank you. In 2011, I visited the group of Michel Bierlaire in Lausanne for a three months period. It was a valuable visit, as it resulted in Chapter 5 of this thesis, but above all, I really enjoyed my time there. Most of the 'thanks' for the group in Delft go to the group in Lausanne as well. Michel, thank you for providing me with the opportunity to visit EPFL and for being a member of my defense committee. I would also like to thank Cees Witteveen, Hani Mahmassani, Ira Helsloot and Satish Ukkusuri for being a member of the committee. Special thanks must go to my parents and Elja, and finally, to you Stijn. Thank you for always being there for me, especially when I needed a little guidance myself.