1,464 research outputs found
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
Mechanical restriction versus human overreaction triggering congested traffic states
A new cellular automaton (CA) traffic model is presented. The focus is on
mechanical restrictions of vehicles realized by limited acceleration and
deceleration capabilities. These features are incorporated into the model in
order to construct the condition of collision-free movement. The strict
collision-free criterion imposed by the mechanical restrictions is softened in
certain traffic situations, reflecting human overreaction. It is shown that the
present model reliably reproduces most empirical findings including
synchronized flow, the so-called {\it pinch effect}, and the time-headway
distribution of free flow. The findings suggest that many free flow phenomena
can be attributed to the platoon formation of vehicles ({\it platoon effect})Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, to appear in PR
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
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
Motions and world-line deviations in Einstein-Maxwell theory
We examine the motion of charged particles in gravitational and
electro-magnetic background fields. We study in particular the deviation of
world lines, describing the relative acceleration between particles on
different space-time trajectories. Two special cases of background fields are
considered in detail: (a) pp-waves, a combination of gravitational and
electro-magnetic polarized plane waves travelling in the same direction; (b)
the Reissner-Nordstr{\o}m solution. We perform a non-trivial check by computing
the precession of the periastron for a charged particle in the
Reissner-Nordstr{\o}m geometry both directly by solving the geodesic equation,
and using the world-line deviation equation. The results agree to the order of
approximation considered.Comment: 23 pages, no figure
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
Steady state solutions of hydrodynamic traffic models
We investigate steady state solutions of hydrodynamic traffic models in the
absence of any intrinsic inhomogeneity on roads such as on-ramps. It is shown
that typical hydrodynamic models possess seven different types of inhomogeneous
steady state solutions. The seven solutions include those that have been
reported previously only for microscopic models. The characteristic properties
of wide jam such as moving velocity of its spatiotemporal pattern and/or
out-flux from wide jam are shown to be uniquely determined and thus independent
of initial conditions of dynamic evolution. Topological considerations suggest
that all of the solutions should be common to a wide class of traffic models.
The results are discussed in connection with the universality conjecture for
traffic models. Also the prevalence of the limit-cycle solution in a recent
study of a microscopic model is explained in this approach.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figure
Localized defects in a cellular automaton model for traffic flow with phase separation
We study the impact of a localized defect in a cellular automaton model for
traffic flow which exhibits metastable states and phase separation. The defect
is implemented by locally limiting the maximal possible flow through an
increase of the deceleration probability. Depending on the magnitude of the
defect three phases can be identified in the system. One of these phases shows
the characteristics of stop-and-go traffic which can not be found in the model
without lattice defect. Thus our results provide evidence that even in a model
with strong phase separation stop-and-go traffic can occur if local defects
exist. From a physical point of view the model describes the competition
between two mechanisms of phase separation.Comment: 14 pages, 7 figure
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
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
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