An Exact Counterexample to Affine-Like Price-of-Anarchy Shape in Quartic BPR Routing

Abstract

We give an exact computer-assisted counterexample to a direct common-degree quartic extension of the affine active-network shape theorem for demand-dependent Price of Anarchy. The instance is a directed network with five vertices, six edges, and three origin--destination paths, all with positive rational costs $c_e(x)=a_e+b_ex^4$. Exact rational interval certificates show that all three paths carry positive Wardrop flow throughout the demand interval $[17,24]$, while \[ \operatorname{PoA}(21)>\operatorname{PoA}(17),\qquad \operatorname{PoA}(21)>\operatorname{PoA}(24). \] Continuity therefore forces an interior local maximum despite a constant equilibrium active network. Krawczyk inclusions isolate the Wardrop and social-optimum KKT solutions, elementary boundary inequalities certify constant support, and interval social costs certify both strict comparisons. At differentiability points, we also derive a serial-edge identity explaining how a common quartic edge can alter the derivative of PoA without changing either route split. The proof and certificate use exact rational arithmetic for every interval and sign decision.