1,715 research outputs found
On the enumeration of complex plane curves with two singular points
We study equi-singular strata of plane curves with two singular points of
prescribed types. The method of the previous work [Kerner06] is generalized to
this case. In particular we consider the enumerative problem for plane curves
with two singular points of linear singularity types. First the problem for two
ordinary multiple points of fixed multiplicities is solved. Then the
enumeration for arbitrary linear types is reduced to the case of ordinary
multiple points and to the understanding of "merging" of singular points. Many
examples and numerical answers are given.Comment: 24 pages, the Mathematica file with explicit calculations is
attached. Some typos removed. To appear in the International Mathematics
Research Notice
Cellular automata approach to three-phase traffic theory
The cellular automata (CA) approach to traffic modeling is extended to allow
for spatially homogeneous steady state solutions that cover a two dimensional
region in the flow-density plane. Hence these models fulfill a basic postulate
of a three-phase traffic theory proposed by Kerner. This is achieved by a
synchronization distance, within which a vehicle always tries to adjust its
speed to the one of the vehicle in front. In the CA models presented, the
modelling of the free and safe speeds, the slow-to-start rules as well as some
contributions to noise are based on the ideas of the Nagel-Schreckenberg type
modelling. It is shown that the proposed CA models can be very transparent and
still reproduce the two main types of congested patterns (the general pattern
and the synchronized flow pattern) as well as their dependence on the flows
near an on-ramp, in qualitative agreement with the recently developed continuum
version of the three-phase traffic theory [B. S. Kerner and S. L. Klenov. 2002.
J. Phys. A: Math. Gen. 35, L31]. These features are qualitatively different
than in previously considered CA traffic models. The probability of the
breakdown phenomenon (i.e., of the phase transition from free flow to
synchronized flow) as function of the flow rate to the on-ramp and of the flow
rate on the road upstream of the on-ramp is investigated. The capacity drops at
the on-ramp which occur due to the formation of different congested patterns
are calculated.Comment: 55 pages, 24 figure
Interpreting the Wide Scattering of Synchronized Traffic Data by Time Gap Statistics
Based on the statistical evaluation of experimental single-vehicle data, we
propose a quantitative interpretation of the erratic scattering of flow-density
data in synchronized traffic flows. A correlation analysis suggests that the
dynamical flow-density data are well compatible with the so-called jam line
characterizing fully developed traffic jams, if one takes into account the
variation of their propagation speed due to the large variation of the netto
time gaps (the inhomogeneity of traffic flow). The form of the time gap
distribution depends not only on the density, but also on the measurement cross
section: The most probable netto time gap in congested traffic flow upstream of
a bottleneck is significantly increased compared to uncongested freeway
sections. Moreover, we identify different power-law scaling laws for the
relative variance of netto time gaps as a function of the sampling size. While
the exponent is -1 in free traffic corresponding to statistically independent
time gaps, the exponent is about -2/3 in congested traffic flow because of
correlations between queued vehicles.Comment: For related publications see http://www.helbing.or
Probabilistic Description of Traffic Breakdowns
We analyze the characteristic features of traffic breakdown. To describe this
phenomenon we apply to the probabilistic model regarding the jam emergence as
the formation of a large car cluster on highway. In these terms the breakdown
occurs through the formation of a certain critical nucleus in the metastable
vehicle flow, which enables us to confine ourselves to one cluster model. We
assume that, first, the growth of the car cluster is governed by attachment of
cars to the cluster whose rate is mainly determined by the mean headway
distance between the car in the vehicle flow and, may be, also by the headway
distance in the cluster. Second, the cluster dissolution is determined by the
car escape from the cluster whose rate depends on the cluster size directly.
The latter is justified using the available experimental data for the
correlation properties of the synchronized mode. We write the appropriate
master equation converted then into the Fokker-Plank equation for the cluster
distribution function and analyze the formation of the critical car cluster due
to the climb over a certain potential barrier. The further cluster growth
irreversibly gives rise to the jam formation. Numerical estimates of the
obtained characteristics and the experimental data of the traffic breakdown are
compared. In particular, we draw a conclusion that the characteristic intrinsic
time scale of the breakdown phenomenon should be about one minute and explain
the case why the traffic volume interval inside which traffic breakdown is
observed is sufficiently wide.Comment: RevTeX 4, 14 pages, 10 figure
Traffic Network Optimum Principle - Minimum Probability of Congestion Occurrence
We introduce an optimum principle for a vehicular traffic network with road
bottlenecks. This network breakdown minimization (BM) principle states that the
network optimum is reached, when link flow rates are assigned in the network in
such a way that the probability for spontaneous occurrence of traffic breakdown
at one of the network bottlenecks during a given observation time reaches the
minimum possible value. Based on numerical simulations with a stochastic
three-phase traffic flow model, we show that in comparison to the well-known
Wardrop's principles the application of the BM principle permits considerably
greater network inflow rates at which no traffic breakdown occurs and,
therefore, free flow remains in the whole network.Comment: 22 pages, 6 figure
Memory effects in microscopic traffic models and wide scattering in flow-density data
By means of microscopic simulations we show that non-instantaneous adaptation
of the driving behaviour to the traffic situation together with the
conventional measurement method of flow-density data can explain the observed
inverse- shape and the wide scattering of flow-density data in
``synchronized'' congested traffic. We model a memory effect in the response of
drivers to the traffic situation for a wide class of car-following models by
introducing a new dynamical variable describing the adaptation of drivers to
the surrounding traffic situation during the past few minutes (``subjective
level of service'') and couple this internal state to parameters of the
underlying model that are related to the driving style. % For illustration, we
use the intelligent-driver model (IDM) as underlying model, characterize the
level of service solely by the velocity and couple the internal variable to the
IDM parameter ``netto time gap'', modelling an increase of the time gap in
congested traffic (``frustration effect''), that is supported by single-vehicle
data. % We simulate open systems with a bottleneck and obtain flow-density data
by implementing ``virtual detectors''. Both the shape, relative size and
apparent ``stochasticity'' of the region of the scattered data points agree
nearly quantitatively with empirical data. Wide scattering is even observed for
identical vehicles, although the proposed model is a time-continuous,
deterministic, single-lane car-following model with a unique fundamental
diagram.Comment: 8 pages, submitted to Physical Review
Phase diagram of congested traffic flow: an empirical study
We analyze traffic data from a highway section containing one effective
on-ramp. Based on two criteria, local velocity variation patterns and expansion
(or nonexpansion) of congested regions, three distinct congested traffic states
are identified. These states appear at different levels of the upstream flux
and the on-ramp flux, thereby generating a phase diagram of the congested
traffic flow. Compared to our earliear reports (including cond-mat/9905292)
based on 14 day traffic data, the present paper uses a much larger data set
(107 days) and the analysis is carried in a more systematic way, which leads to
the modification of a part of interpretation in the earlier reports. Observed
traffic states are compared with recent theoretical analyses and both agreeing
and disagreeing features are found.Comment: More extensive and systematic version of earlier reports (including
cond-mat/9905292). A part of interpretation in earlier reports is modified. 6
two-column pages. To appear in Phys. Rev. E (tentatively scheduled for Oct. 1
issue
Derivation, Properties, and Simulation of a Gas-Kinetic-Based, Non-Local Traffic Model
We derive macroscopic traffic equations from specific gas-kinetic equations,
dropping some of the assumptions and approximations made in previous papers.
The resulting partial differential equations for the vehicle density and
average velocity contain a non-local interaction term which is very favorable
for a fast and robust numerical integration, so that several thousand freeway
kilometers can be simulated in real-time. The model parameters can be easily
calibrated by means of empirical data. They are directly related to the
quantities characterizing individual driver-vehicle behavior, and their optimal
values have the expected order of magnitude. Therefore, they allow to
investigate the influences of varying street and weather conditions or freeway
control measures. Simulation results for realistic model parameters are in good
agreement with the diverse non-linear dynamical phenomena observed in freeway
traffic.Comment: For related work see
http://www.theo2.physik.uni-stuttgart.de/helbing.html and
http://www.theo2.physik.uni-stuttgart.de/treiber.htm
Single-vehicle data of highway traffic - a statistical analysis
In the present paper single-vehicle data of highway traffic are analyzed in
great detail. By using the single-vehicle data directly empirical time-headway
distributions and speed-distance relations can be established. Both quantities
yield relevant information about the microscopic states. Several fundamental
diagrams are also presented, which are based on time-averaged quantities and
compared with earlier empirical investigations. In the remaining part
time-series analyses of the averaged as well as the single-vehicle data are
carried out. The results will be used in order to propose objective criteria
for an identification of the different traffic states, e.g. synchronized
traffic.Comment: 12 pages, 19 figures, RevTe
Topics in Born-Infeld Electrodynamics
Classical version of Born-Infeld electrodynamics is recalled and its most
important properties discussed. Then we analyze possible abelian and
non-abelian generalizations of this theory, and show how certain soliton-like
configurations can be obtained. The relationship with the Standard Model of
electroweak interactions is also mentioned.Comment: (One new reference added). 15 pages, LaTeX. To be published in the
Proceedings of XXXVII Karpacz Winter School edited in the Proceedings Series
of American Mathematical Society, editors J. Lukierski and J. Rembielinsk
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