1,684 research outputs found
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
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
General theory of instabilities for patterns with sharp interfaces in reaction-diffusion systems
An asymptotic method for finding instabilities of arbitrary -dimensional
large-amplitude patterns in a wide class of reaction-diffusion systems is
presented. The complete stability analysis of 2- and 3-dimensional localized
patterns is carried out. It is shown that in the considered class of systems
the criteria for different types of instabilities are universal. The specific
nonlinearities enter the criteria only via three numerical constants of order
one. The performed analysis explains the self-organization scenarios observed
in the recent experiments and numerical simulations of some concrete
reaction-diffusion systems.Comment: 21 pages (RevTeX), 8 figures (Postscript). To appear in Phys. Rev. E
(April 1st, 1996
Microscopic features of moving traffic jams
Empirical and numerical microscopic features of moving traffic jams are
presented. Based on a single vehicle data analysis, it is found that within
wide moving jams, i.e., between the upstream and downstream jam fronts there is
a complex microscopic spatiotemporal structure. This jam structure consists of
alternations of regions in which traffic flow is interrupted and flow states of
low speeds associated with "moving blanks" within the jam. Empirical features
of the moving blanks are found. Based on microscopic models in the context of
three-phase traffic theory, physical reasons for moving blanks emergence within
wide moving jams are disclosed. Structure of moving jam fronts is studied based
in microscopic traffic simulations. Non-linear effects associated with moving
jam propagation are numerically investigated and compared with empirical
results.Comment: 19 pages, 12 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
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
Human behavior as origin of traffic phases
It is shown that the desire for smooth and comfortable driving is directly
responsible for the occurrence of complex spatio-temporal structures
(``synchronized traffic'') in highway traffic. This desire goes beyond the
avoidance of accidents which so far has been the main focus of microscopic
modeling and which is mainly responsible for the other two phases observed
empirically, free flow and wide moving jams. These features have been
incorporated into a microscopic model based on stochastic cellular automata and
the results of computer simulations are compared with empirical data. The
simple structure of the model allows for very fast implementations of realistic
networks. The level of agreement with the empirical findings opens new
perspectives for reliable traffic forecasts.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, colour figures with reduced resolutio
Geodesic Deviation in Kaluza-Klein Theories
We study in detail the equations of the geodesic deviation in
multidimensional theories of Kaluza-Klein type. We show that their
4-dimensional space-time projections are identical with the equations obtained
by direct variation of the usual geodesic equation in the presence of the
Lorentz force, provided that the fifth component of the deviation vector
satisfies an extra constraint derived here.Comment: 5 pages, Revtex, 1 figure. To appear in Phys. Rev. D (Brief Report
Physics of traffic gridlock in a city
Based of simulations of a stochastic three-phase traffic flow model, we
reveal that at a signalized city intersection under small link inflow rates at
which a vehicle queue developed during the red phase of light signal dissolves
fully during the green phase, i.e., no traffic gridlock should be expected,
nevertheless, traffic breakdown with the subsequent city gridlock occurs with
some probability after a random time delay. This traffic breakdown is initiated
by a first-order phase transition from free flow to synchronized flow occurring
upstream of the vehicle queue at light signal. The probability of traffic
breakdown at light signal is an increasing function of the link inflow rate and
duration of the red phase of light signal
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