Modeling U-turn traffic flow

Median U-turns are sometimes installed to improve the traffic flow at busy intersections by eliminating left turns. Using a microscopic traffic model, we confirmed the presence of transitions from free flow to congested flow with increasing car inflow density. In addition, our proposed rules inside a U-turn curve, which accounted for safety issues and an asymmetric lane changing behavior (outer-to-inner vs. inner-to-outer lane transitions), predicted the speed distribution of cars after the U-turn curve. We found that U-turn curves installed for improving traffic flow at busy intersections produced their desired effects only when there is minimal interaction between cars.     

Cellular automaton simulations for mixed traffic with erratic motorcycles’ behaviours

Modeling mixed traffic composed of motorcycles can be a challenging issue because many erratic motorcyclists may not follow the lane disciplines, particularly when traffic is congested. Based upon the refined cellular automaton (CA) model recently developed by the authors [L.W. Lan, Y.C. Chiou, Z.S. Lin, C.C. Hsu, Physica A 388 (2009) 3917-3930], this paper further proposed a sophisticated CA model to elucidate the erratic motorcycle behaviours in mixed traffic contexts. In addition to the conventional moving forward and lane-change rules, the sophisticated CA model also explicated the lateral drift behaviour for cars moving in the same lane, the lateral drift behaviour for motorcycles breaking into two moving cars, and the transverse crossing behaviour for motorcycles through the gap between two stationary cars in the same lane. Fundamental diagrams and space-time trajectories for vehicles with various car-motorcycle mixed ratios are demonstrated.     

Simon-Gutowitz bidirectional traffic model revisited

The Simon-Gutowitz bidirectional traffic model [P.M. Simon, H.A. Gutowitz, Phys. Rev. E 57 (1998) 2441] is revisited in this Letter. We found that passing cars get stuck with oncoming cars before returning to their home lanes. This provokes the occurrence of wide jams on both lanes. We have rectified the rules for lane changing. Then, the wide jams disappear and the revisited model can describe well the realistic bidirectional traffic.     

Two-lane traffic simulations with a blockage induced by an accident car

Based on the two-lane traffic model proposed by Chowdhury et al., a highway traffic model with a blockage induced by an accident car is proposed, in which both symmetric lane changing rules and asymmetric lane changing rules are adopted. The fundamental diagrams and spatial-temporal profiles are presented after the numerical simulation and the jam transition is studied. It is shown that the accident car not only causes a local jam behind the accident car, but also causes vehicles to cluster in the bypass lane. The asymmetric lane changing rules are more advantageous in reducing the local jam than the symmetric lane changing rules when the accident car is in the right lane, and the symmetric lane changing rules are superior when the accident car is in the left lane. Furthermore the curves of lane-changing frequency against the total density are given. It is found that the vehicles will change lane more frequently when traffic is inhomogeneous with different types of vehicle or with an accident car.     

Vehicular motion in counter traffic flow through a series of signals controlled by a phase shift

We study the dynamical behavior of counter traffic flow through a sequence of signals (traffic lights) controlled by a phase shift. There are two lanes for the counter traffic flow: the first lane is for east-bound vehicles and the second lane is for west-bound vehicles. The green-wave strategy is studied in the counter traffic flow where the phase shift of signals in the second lane has opposite sign to that in the first lane. A nonlinear dynamic model of the vehicular motion is presented by nonlinear maps at a low density. There is a distinct difference between the traffic flow in the first lane and that in the second lane. The counter traffic flow exhibits very complex behavior on varying the cycle time, the phase difference, and the split. Also, the fundamental diagram is derived by the use of the cellular automaton (CA) model. The dependence of east-bound and west-bound vehicles on cycle time, phase difference, and density is clarified.     

高速车随机延迟逐步加速交通流元胞自动机模型

提出介于Nagel-Schreckenberg(NS)模型和Fukui-Ishibashi(FI)模型之间的一种新的一维交通流元胞自动机模型. 此模型采用NS模型中的车辆逐步加速方式,和FI模型中的仅最大速车可随机减速的车辆延迟方式.证明新模型的基本图,即车流渐近稳态的平均速度与道路上的车辆密度之间的函数关系与FI模型的完全相同.这也就是说,只允许最高速车辆可发生延迟的FI交通流模型,如果将其突然无限制加速方式(车辆可在一个时步内从零速加速到最高速限M或车头距离所允许的最大速度),改变为车辆的逐步有限加速 关键词： 交通流 元胞自动机模型 相变基本图 Nagel-Schreckenberg模型 Fukui-Ishibashi模型     

Properties of Phase Transition of Traffic Flow on Urban Expressway Systems with Ramps and Accessory Roads

In this paper, we develop a cellular automaton model to describe the phase transition of traffic flow on urban expressway systems with on-off-ramps and accessory roads. The lane changing rules are given in detailed, the numerical results show that the main road and the accessory road both produce phase transitions. These phase transitions will often be influenced by the number of lanes, lane changing, the ramp flow, the input flow rate, and the geometry structure.     

The Stability of Multi-modal Traffic Network

There is an explicit and implicit assumption in multimodal traffic equilibrium models, that is, if the equilibrium exists, then it will also occur. The assumption is very idealized; in fact, it may be shown that the quite contrary could happen, because in multimodal traffic network, especially in mixed traffic conditions the interaction among traffic modes is asymmetric and the asymmetric interaction may result in the instability of traffic system. In this paper, to study the stability of multimodal traffic system, we respectively present the travel cost function in mixed traffic conditions and in traffic network with dedicated bus lanes. Based on a day-to-day dynamical model, we study the evolution of daily route choice of travelers in multimodal traffic network using 10000 random initial values for different cases. From the results of simulation, it can be concluded that the asymmetric interaction between the cars and buses in mixed traffic conditions can lead the traffic system to instability when traffic demand is larger. We also study the effect of travelers' perception error on the stability of multimodal traffic network. Although the larger perception error can alleviate the effect of interaction between cars and buses and improve the stability of traffic system in mixed traffic conditions, the traffic system also become instable when the traffic demand is larger than a number. For all cases simulated in this study, with the same parameters, traffic system with dedicated bus lane has better stability for traffic demand than that in mixed traffic conditions. We also find that the network with dedicated bus lane has higher portion of travelers by bus than it of mixed traffic network. So it can be concluded that building dedicated bus lane can improve the stability of traffic system and attract more travelers to choose bus reducing the traffic congestion.     

The Stability of Multi-modal Traffic Network

There is an explicit and implicit assumption in multimodal traffic equilibrium models, that is, if the equilibrium exists, then it will also occur. The assumption is very idealized; in fact, it may be shown that the quite contrary could happen, because in multimodal traffic network, especially in mixed traffic conditions the interaction among traffic modes is asymmetric and the asymmetric interaction may result in the instability of traffic system. In this paper, to study the stability of multimodal traffic system, we respectively present the travel cost function in mixed traffic conditions and in traffic network with dedicated bus lanes. Based on a day-to-day dynamical model, we study the evolution of daily route choice of travelers in multimodal traffic network using 10000 random initial values for different cases. From the results of simulation, it can be concluded that the asymmetric interaction between the cars and buses in mixed traffic conditions can lead the traffic system to instability when traffic demand is larger. We also study the effect of travelers' perception error on the stability of multimodal traffic network. Although the larger perception error can alleviate the effect of interaction between cars and buses and improve the stability of traffic system in mixed traffic conditions, the traffic system also become instable when the traffic demand is larger than a number. For all cases simulated in this study, with the same parameters, traffic system with dedicated bus lane has better stability for traffic demand than that in mixed traffic conditions. We also find that the network with dedicated bus lane has higher portion of travelers by bus than it of mixed traffic network. So it can be concluded that building dedicated bus lane can improve the stability of traffic system and attract more travelers to choose bus reducing the traffic congestion.     

城市快速路系统的元胞自动机模型与分析

使用元胞自动机模型研究包含出入匝、主路和辅路的城市快速路系统的交通问题,为不同类型的路段定义了三种不同的换道规则.模拟结果表明,高入匝流量容易导致主路、匝道及其上游出现拥堵,高出匝流量容易使匝道出口车流与辅路内侧道车流发生冲突.入匝流量比较高时,主辅路为双车道的系统可以延缓交通拥堵和减少通行时间;当入匝流量较低时,双车道改善了单车道下辅路的通行状况. 关键词： 交通流 元胞自动机 换道规则 匝道     

有应急车辆影响的多车道交通流元胞自动机模型

在分析应急车辆对城市道路交通流影响的基础上, 引入让行状态参数、警笛影响区域和强制换道安全距离等特征变量, 修改换道规则, 建立了多车道元胞自动机模型, 并进行数值模拟. 结果表明, 车道数量和混合车辆比例系数在低密度范围内影响车辆速度及换道次数, 警笛影响区域参数改变了一定范围内车辆的换道次数, 应急车辆强制换道安全距离参数主要影响应急车辆的速度及换道次数.研究发现, 应急车辆对低密度交通流的扰动现象明显, 其与社会车辆相互作用参数的设置使得交通流元胞自动机模型更接近应急条件下实际交通运行. 关键词： 交通流 元胞自动机 应急车辆     

Traffic states and jamming transitions induced by a bus in two-lane traffic flow

We study the traffic states and jamming transitions induced by a bus (slow car) in a two-lane traffic of cars. We use the dynamic model which is an extended one of the optimal velocity model to take into account the lane changing. The fundamental (flow-density) diagram is presented. The fundamental diagram changes highly by introducing a bus on a two-lane roadway. It is found that there are the six distinct states for the two-lane traffic flow including a bus. The spatio-temporal patterns are presented for the distinct traffic states. The dynamical state of traffic changes with density of cars. It is shown that the dynamical transitions among the distinct traffic states occur at some values of density. The phase diagram (region map) is shown for the two-lane traffic flow including a bus.     

Automated Traffic and the Finite Size Resonance

We investigate in detail what one might call the canonical (automated) traffic problem: A long string of N+1 cars (numbered from 0 to N) moves along a one-lane road “in formation” at a constant velocity and with a unit distance between successive cars. Each car monitors the relative velocity and position of only its neighboring cars. This information is then fed back to its own engine which decelerates (brakes) or accelerates according to the information it receives. The question is: What happens when due to an external influence—a traffic light turning green—the ‘zero’th’ car (the “leader”) accelerates?As a first approximation, we analyze linear(ized) equations and show that in this scenario the traffic flow has a tendency to be stop-and-go. We give approximate solutions for the global traffic as function of all the relevant parameters (the feed back parameters as well as cruise velocity and so on). We discuss general design principles for these algorithms, that is: how does the choice of parameters influence the performance.     

双向两车道混合车辆交通流的特性

在NaSch模型的基础上，制订了超车规则，建立了双向两车道混合车辆的元胞自动机交通流模型. 用计算机模拟了车道密度对称和不对称两种情况下不同参数的混合车辆交通流，得出了相应的速度、流量与密度关系的基本图. 经分析发现，双向两车道混合车辆交通状态可分为快车特性区、准慢车特性区和慢车特性区；两车道上车辆密度的不对称性对交通流有重要的影响. 关键词： 元胞自动机 交通流 混合车辆交通流     

Effect of driver over-acceleration on traffic breakdown in three-phase cellular automaton traffic flow models

Based on simulations with cellular automaton (CA) traffic flow models, a generic physical feature of the three-phase models studied in the paper is disclosed. The generic feature is a discontinuous character of driver over-acceleration caused by a combination of two qualitatively different mechanisms of over-acceleration: (i) Over-acceleration through lane changing to a faster lane, (ii) over-acceleration occurring in car-following without lane changing. Based on this generic feature a new three-phase CA traffic flow model is developed. This CA model explains the set of the fundamental empirical features of traffic breakdown in real heterogeneous traffic flow consisting of passenger vehicles and trucks. The model simulates also quantitative traffic pattern characteristics as measured in real heterogeneous flow.     

Second-order phase transition in two-dimensional cellular automaton model of traffic flow containing road sections

Two-dimensional cellular automaton model has been broadly researched for traffic flow, as it reveals the main characteristics of the traffic networks in cities. Based on the BML models, a first-order phase transition occurs between the low-density moving phase in which all cars move at maximal speed and the high-density jammed phase in which all cars are stopped. However, it is not a physical result of a realistic system. We propose a new traffic rule in a two-dimensional traffic flow model containing road sections, which reflects that a car cannot enter into a road crossing if the road section in front of the crossing is occupied by another car. The simulation results reveal a second-order phase transition that separates the free flow phase from the jammed phase. In this way the system will not be entirely jammed (“don’t block the box” as in New York City).     

A New Cellular Automata Model Considering Finite Deceleration and Braking Distance

We present a new cellular automata model for one-lane traffic flow. In this model, we consider the driver prejudgment according to the state of the leading car. We also consider that the vehicle deceleration capability is finite and the braking distance of the high-speed running cars cannot be ignored, which is not considered in most models. Furthermore, comfortable driving is considered, too. Using computer simulations we obtain some basic qualitative results and the fundamental diagram of the proposed model. In comparison with the known models, we find that the fundamental diagram of the proposed model is more realistic than that of the known models.     

Effect of real-time information upon traffic flows on crossing roads

The effect of real-time information on the traffic flows of the crossing roads is studied by simulations based on a cellular automaton model. At the intersection, drivers have to enter a road of a shorter trip-time, by making a turn if necessary, as indicated on the information board. Dynamics of the traffic are expressed as a return map in the density-flow space. The traffic flow is classified into six phases, as a function of the car density. It is found that such a behavior of drivers induces too much concentration of cars on one road and, as a result, causes oscillation of the flow and the density of cars on both roads. The oscillation usually results in a reduced total flow, except for the cases of high car density.     

Numerical study of urban traffic flow with dedicated bus lane and intermittent bus lane

Based on the cellular automaton traffic flow model and the concept of public transport priority, a two-lane traffic model with an intermittent bus lane is proposed and the properties of urban traffic flow are studied. The cases of traffic with a dedicated bus lane (DBL), an intermittent bus lane (IBL) and an ordinary two-lane traffic are simulated, and comparisons in the form of the fundamental diagrams and the velocity-density profiles are made between them. It is shown that the DBL has the advantage of freeing buses from traffic interference and also has the disadvantage of disrupting traffic, the IBL is more efficient in improving the bus flow than ordinary two-lane traffic and maintaining the car flow at a higher level at the same time than the DBL, while the ordinary two-lane traffic suppresses public transportation and is not advantageous in easing urban traffic congestion. Also it is indicated that the DBL is only appropriate for low traffic flow in a two-lane traffic system, and this limitation can be partly overcome by opening the bus lane to general traffic intermittently when the bus lane is not in use by buses.     

考虑行车状态的一维元胞自动机交通流模型

在Nagel Schrekenberg单车道元胞自动机交通流模型（简称NS模型）的基础上，考虑车辆之间的相对运动薛郁等提出了一种改进的单车道元胞自动机交通流模型（简称改进的NS模型）.通过两种情况列出了改进的NS模型存在不尽周严的地方，随之在新模型中引入了行车状态 变量和反馈规则，从而控制车辆出现倒车和刹车过急等现象.通过计算机对新模型进行模拟 ，发现减速概率和车流密度对车流状态的演化影响很大，当减速概率高（如道路条件差）时 ，即使车流密度低，车流也会出现局部堵塞状态；而当减速概率一定时，随着车流密度增加 ，车流的运动相与堵塞相发生了全局性的交替出现，此时类似于波的波峰和波谷的传播.与 改进的NS模型相比较，新模型模拟的车流量较高，说明新模型减少了车流的总体停滞状态. 关键词： 交通流 元胞自动机 行车状态 反馈规则