Citation

Tampere C, Hoogendoorn S, van Arem B. Transp. Traffic Theory 2005; 16: 205-228.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Publisher varies)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper describes how congested traffic flow dynamics have attracted much interest over the last decade. In order to explain congested traffic flow phenomena, some researchers have stressed the importance and validity of first order hydrodynamic models, while others point out the importance of second order phenomena (instability) for the formation of various congestion patterns, and of local perturbations initiating phase transitions. A macroscopic traffic flow model is used in this paper in order to examine typical congestion related phenomena like traffic flow instability, stop-and-go waves, wide jams, hysteresis, and capacity drop, and the role of driver behavior. The model related individual car-following behavior to macroscopic traffic flow dynamics, and accounts for the principal aspects of individual longitudinal behavior like: finite reaction times, anticipation behavior to conditions downstream (i.e. non-locality and anisotropy), and finite, speed dependent space requirements of drivers. Because of the strong relation with individual human driving behavior and gas-kinetic mathematics that underlies this model, it is called the human-kinetic traffic flow model. Moreover, the parameters that govern the individual driver behavior in the human-kinetic model are not necessary constant in time, but may vary with traffic flow conditions, location, weather, and other conditions. In this sense, the human kinetic traffic flow model is an experimental framework in which the role of variable individual longitudinal driver behavior in macroscopic traffic flow dynamics can be examined.