Reply to comment on “On the controversy around Daganzo’s requiem for and Aw-Rascle’s resurrection of second-order traffic flow models” by H.M. Zhang

This contribution compares several different approaches allowing one to derive macroscopic traffic equation directly from microscopic car-following models. While it is shown that some conventional approaches lead to theoretical problems, it is proposed to use an approach reminding of smoothed particle hydrodynamics to avoid gradient expansions. The derivation circumvents approximations and, therefore, demonstrates the large range of validity of macroscopic traffic equations, without the need of averaging over many vehicles. It also gives an expression for the “traffic pressure”, which generalizes previously used formulas. Furthermore, the method avoids theoretical inconsistencies of macroscopic traffic models, which have been criticized in the past by Daganzo and others.     

Comment on “On the controversy around Daganzo’s requiem for and Aw-Rascle’s resurrection of second-order traffic flow models" by D. Helbing and A.F. Johansson

There has been a debate in the transportation research community over the validity of a class of traffic flow models. These models have the peculiar property that one of its characteristic speeds is faster than that of vehicular traffic. This note attempts to provide an overview of the diverging views on how to interpret this property, and specific comments on the interpretation of Helbing and Johansson [On the controversy around Daganzo’s requiem for and Aw-Rascle’s resurrection of second-order traffic flow models, Eur. Phys. J. B (2009), DOI: 10.1140/epjb/e2009-00182-7]. We showed that having faster-than-traffic characteristics does produce counterintuitive predictions, and they cannot be explained away by a linear stability analysis. As such, the existence of such characteristics must be justified by the physics of traffic, and verified through empirical observations.     

Comparing traffic flow models with different number of “phases”

By comparing microscopic traffic flow models with a different number of phases in the context of a simple scenario, the similarities as well as the differences of the various traffic flow models can be discussed. It turns out that there is a certain range of traffic flow conditions, where it is difficult to discern the space-time patterns produced by the different models. However, there are some other regions in the parameter space, where clear differences can be detected. Although the results obtained here cannot directly transformed into a real test with real-world data, they may help to finally define realistic scenarios which would result in a clear decision about which model describes reality best.     

On wave and rheidity properties of the Earth’s crust

The properties of the Earth’s solid crust have been studied on the assumption that this crust has a block structure. According to the rotation model, the motion of such a medium (geomedium) follows the angular momentum conservation law and can be described in the scope of the classical elasticity theory with a symmetric stress tensor. A geomedium motion is characterized by two types of rotation waves with shortand long-range actions. The first type includes slow solitons with velocities of 0 ≤ V_sol ≤ c0, max = 1–10 cm s^–1; the second type, fast excitons with V₀ ≤ V_ex ≤ V_S–V_P. The exciton minimal velocity (V₀ = 0) depends on the energy of the collective excitation of all seismically active belt blocks proportional to the Earth’s pole vibration frequency (the Chandler vibration frequency). The exciton maximal velocity depends on the velocities of S (V_S ≈ 4 km s^–1) and/or P (V_P ≈ 8 km s^–1) seismic (acoustic) waves. According to the rotation model, a geomedium is characterized by the property physically close to the corpuscular–wave interaction between blocks that compose this medium. The possible collective wave motion of geomedium blocks can be responsible for the geomedium rheidity property, i.e., a superplastic volume flow. A superplastic motion of a quantum fluid can be the physical analog of the geomedium rheid motion.     

On the continuing relevance of Mandelbrot’s non-ergodic fractional renewal models of 1963 to 1967

The problem of “1∕f” noise has been with us for about a century. Because it is so often framed in Fourier spectral language, the most famous solutions have tended to be the stationary long range dependent (LRD) models such as Mandelbrot’s fractional Gaussian noise. In view of the increasing importance to physics of non-ergodic fractional renewal models, and their links to the CTRW, I present preliminary results of my research into the history of Mandelbrot’s very little known work in that area from 1963 to 1967. I speculate about how the lack of awareness of this work in the physics and statistics communities may have affected the development of complexity science, and I discuss the differences between the Hurst effect, “1∕f” noise and LRD, concepts which are often treated as equivalent.     

On the kinetic theory of vehicular traffic flow: Chapman–Enskog expansion versus Grad’s moment method

Based on a Boltzmann-like traffic equation for aggressive drivers we construct in this paper a second-order continuum traffic model which is similar to the Navier–Stokes equations for viscous fluids by applying two well-known methods of gas-kinetic theory, namely the Chapman–Enskog method and the method of moments of Grad. The viscosity coefficient appearing in our macroscopic traffic model is not introduced in an ad hoc way–as in other second-order traffic flow models–but comes into play through the derivation of a first-order constitutive relation for the traffic pressure. Numerical simulation shows that our Navier–Stokes-like traffic model satisfies the anisotropy condition and produces numerical results which are consistent with our daily experiences in real traffic.     

On Ruelle’s Construction of the Thermodynamic Limit for the Classical Microcanonical Entropy

In 1969 Ruelle published his construction of the thermodynamic limit, in the sense of Fisher, for the quasi-microcanonical entropy density of classical Hamiltonian N-body systems with stable and tempered pair interactions. Here, “quasi-microcanonical” refers to the fact that he discussed the entropy defined with a regularized microcanonical measure as ln (N!⁻¹ ∫ χ _{{ℰ−▵ℰ<H<ℰ}}d^6N X) rather than defined with the proper microcanonical measure as ln (N!⁻¹ ∫ δ(ℰ−H) d^6N X). Replacing δ(ℰ−H) by χ _{{ℰ−▵ℰ<H<ℰ}} seems to have become the standard procedure for rigorous treatments of the microcanonical ensemble hence. In this note we make a very elementary technical observation to the effect that Ruelle’s proof (still based on regularization) does establish the thermodynamic limit also for the entropy density defined with the proper microcanonical measure. We also show that with only minor changes in the proof the regularization of δ(ℰ−H) is actually not needed at all.     

A new lattice model of traffic flow with the consideration of the driver?s forecast effects

In this Letter, a new lattice model is presented with the consideration of the driver?s forecast effects (DFE). The linear stability condition of the extended model is obtained by using the linear stability theory. The analytical results show that the new model can improve the stability of traffic flow by considering DFE. The modified KdV equation near the critical point is derived to describe the traffic jam by nonlinear analysis. Numerical simulation also shows that the new model can improve the stability of traffic flow by adjusting the driver?s forecast intensity parameter, which is consistent with the theoretical analysis.     

On Zurek’s Derivation of the Born Rule

Recently, W. H. Zurek presented a novel derivation of the Born rule based on a mechanism termed environment-assisted invariance, or envariance [W. H. Zurek, Phys. Rev. Lett. 90(2), 120404 (2003)]. We review this approach and identify fundamental assumptions that have implicitly entered into it, emphasizing issues that any such derivation is likely to face.     

On the CHSH Form of Bell’s Inequalities

A common mistake present in the derivation of the usually known as the CHSH form of Bell’s inequalities is pointed out. References and comments to the correct approach are given. This error does not alter the final result and only affects the logical consistency of the derivation, but since it seems to be a widespread misconception regarding the roll and interpretation of the of use of hidden variables in Bell’s theorem it is considered to be of general interest.     

On the Road Map of Vogel’s Plane

We define “population” of Vogel’s plane as points for which universal character of adjoint representation is regular in the finite plane of its argument. It is shown that they are given exactly by all solutions of seven Diophantine equations of third order on three variables. We find all their solutions: classical series of simple Lie algebras (including an “odd symplectic” one), \({D_{2,1,\lambda}}\) superalgebra, the line of sl(2) algebras, and a number of isolated solutions, including exceptional simple Lie algebras. One of these Diophantine equations, namely \({knm=4k+4n+2m+12,}\) contains all simple Lie algebras, except so\({(2N+1).}\) Among isolated solutions are, besides exceptional simple Lie algebras, so called \({\mathfrak{e}_{7\frac{1}{2}}}\) algebra and also two other similar unidentified objects with positive dimensions. In addition, there are 47 isolated solutions in “unphysical semiplane” with negative dimensions. Isolated solutions mainly belong to the few lines in Vogel plane, including some rows of Freudenthal magic square. Universal dimension formulae have an integer values on all these solutions at least for first three symmetric powers of adjoint representation.     

On the relation of Manin’s quantum plane and quantum Clifford algebras

In a recent work we have shown that quantum Clifford algebras — i.e. Clifford algebras of an arbitrary bilinear form — are closely related to the deformed structures asq-spin groups, Hecke algebras,q-Young operators and deformed tensor products. The question to relate Manin’s approach to quantum Clifford algebras is addressed here. Explicit computations using the CLIFFORD Maple package are exhibited. The meaning of non-commutative geometry is reexamined and interpreted in Clifford algebraic terms. Presented at the 9th Colloquium “Quantum Groups and Integrable Systems”, Prague, 22–24 June 2000.     

On Khalfin’s improvement of the LOY effective Hamiltonian for neutral meson complex

The general properties of the effective Hamiltonian for the neutral meson system improved by Khalfin in 1980 are studied. It is shown that contrary to the standard result of the Lee–Oehme–Yang (LOY) theory, the diagonal matrix elements of this effective Hamiltonian cannot be equal in a CPT invariant system. It is also shown that the scalar product of short, , and long, , living superpositions of neutral kaons cannot be real when CPT symmetry is conserved in the system under consideration, whereas within the LOY theory such a scalar product is real. PACS 03.65.Ca; 11.10.St; 11.30.Er; 13.20.Eb; 13.25.Es     

On the implication of Bell’s probability distribution and proposed experiments of quantum measurement

In derivating of Bell’s inequalities, the probability distribution is supposed to be a function only of a hidden variable. We point out that the true implication of the probability distribution of Bell’s correlation function is the distribution of joint measurement outcomes on the two sides. It is therefore a function of both the hidden variable and the settings. In this case, Bell’s inequalities fail. Our further analysis shows that Bell’s locality holds neither for dependent events nor for independent events. We think that the measurements of EPR pairs are dependent events, and hence violation of Bell’s inequalities cannot rule out the existence of local hidden variable. To explain the results of EPR-type experiments, we suppose that a polarization-entangled photon pair can be composed of two circularly or linearly polarized photons with correlated hidden variables, and a couple of experiments of quantum measurement are proposed. The first uses delayed measurement on one photon of the EPR pair to demonstrate directly whether measurement on the other could have any nonlocal influence on it. Then several experiments are suggested to reveal the components of the polarization-entangled photon pair. The last one uses successive polarization measurements on a pair of EPR photons to show that two photons with the same quantum state behave the same under the same measuring conditions.     

On Ohm’s law in the thin current sheets of the Earth’s magnetosphere

The analytical and numerical dependences of the total transverse current on an electric field, the normal component of a magnetic field and the ion and electron temperatures are obtained using analytical approximation of numerical results provided by a self-consistent model of the magnetospheric thin sheet. The dependence of current on the parameters ?, T _i , b _n is shown to be nonlinear. The relative contributions of different plasma components into the total current are estimated.     

On the fictitious nonlinearity of the surface impedance of the Earth’s crust

The observations of Alfvén oscillations of the magnetosphere are used to study the Earth’s crust and upper mantle by the magnetotelluric sounding method. The sounding procedure involves the measurement of the horizontal components of the electromagnetic field at a given point on the ground, the calculation of the surface impedance, and the determination of the conductivity of rocks from these data. It has been shown that the anharmonicity of the oscillations of the magnetosphere in combination with the nonlocality of the boundary condition on the ground gives rise to the amplitude dependence of the impedance calculated using the classical magnetotelluric sounding method. This apparent nonlinearity of the impedance can be manifested in the sounding of the Earth’s interior with intense electromagnetic pulsations, which appear when the Earth’s magnetosphere is embedded in the highspeed solar wind flow.     

On the Renormalization of the One–Pion Exchange Potential and the Consistency of Weinberg’s Power Counting

Nogga, Timmermans and van Kolck recently argued that Weinberg’s power counting in the few–nucleon sector is inconsistent and requires modifications. Their argument is based on the observed cutoff dependence of the nucleon–nucleon scattering amplitude calculated by solving the Lippmann–Schwinger equation with the regularized one–pion exchange potential and the cutoff Λ varied in the range Λ = 2 . . . 20 fm^?1. In this paper we discuss the role the cutoff plays in the application of chiral effective field theory to the two–nucleon system and study carefully the cutoff–dependence of phase shifts and observables based on the one–pion exchange potential. We show that (i) there is no need to use the momentum–space cutoff larger than Λ ~ 3 fm^?1; (ii) the neutron–proton low–energy data show no evidence for an inconsistency of Weinberg’s power counting if one uses Λ ~ 3 fm^?1.     

Vibrational energy flow models for the Rayleigh–Love and Rayleigh–Bishop rods

Energy Flow Analysis (EFA) has been developed to predict the vibrational energy density of the system structures in the medium-to-high frequency range. The elementary longitudinal wave theory is often used to describe the longitudinal vibration of a slender rod. However, for relatively large diameter rods or high frequency ranges, the elementary longitudinal wave theory is inaccurate because the lateral motions are not taken into account. In this paper, vibrational energy flow models are developed to analyze the longitudinally vibrating Rayleigh–Love rod considering the effect of lateral inertia, and the Rayleigh–Bishop rod considering the effect not only of the lateral inertia but also of the shear stiffness. The derived energy governing equations are second-order differential equations which predict the time and space averaged energy density and active intensity distributions in a rod. To verify the accuracy of the developed energy flow models, various numerical analyses are performed for a rod and coupled rods. Also, the EFA results for the Rayleigh–Love and Rayleigh–Bishop rods are compared with the analytical solutions for these models, the traditional energy flow solutions, and the analytical solutions for the classical rod.     

On the theory of temperature distribution over the Earth’s atmosphere

The steady-state temperature distribution over the Earth’s atmosphere is described in terms of the law of degradation of energy (or the principle of entropy increase). The distribution is in satisfactory agreement with meteorological measurements. Using constructed dissipative function \(\dot Q\), a nonlinear differential equation is rigorously derived that describes the synergetics of the steady-state temperature distribution over the atmosphere, from troposphere to exosphere. A detailed analysis of solutions of this equation makes it possible to qualitatively explain nontrivial dependence T(z) over an atmospheric area inhomogeneous in chemical composition. This fact substantiates the correctness of formal introduction and necessity to consider interaction between blackbody radiation and convective stream. It is argued that hard gamma quanta far from the violet part of the spectrum are responsible for heat radiation coming from the Sun.