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Destroying Phantom Jams with Connectivity and Automation: Nonlinear Dynamics and Control of Mixed Traffic

Author

Listed:
  • Tamas G. Molnar

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas 67260)

  • Gábor Orosz

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109)

Abstract

Connected automated vehicles (CAVs) have the potential to improve the efficiency of vehicular traffic. In this paper, we discuss how CAVs can positively impact the dynamic behavior of mixed traffic systems on highways through the lens of nonlinear dynamics theory. First, we show that human-driven traffic exhibits a bistability phenomenon, in which the same drivers can both drive smoothly or cause congestion, depending on perturbations like a braking of an individual driver. As such, bistability can lead to unexpected phantom traffic jams , which are undesired. By analyzing the corresponding nonlinear dynamical model, we explain the mechanism of bistability and identify which human driver parameters may cause it. Second, we study mixed traffic that includes both human drivers and CAVs, and we analyze how CAVs affect the nonlinear dynamic behavior. We show that a large-enough penetration of CAVs in the traffic flow can eliminate bistability, and we identify the controller parameters of CAVs that are able to do so. Ultimately, this helps to achieve stable and smooth mobility on highways.

Suggested Citation

  • Tamas G. Molnar & Gábor Orosz, 2024. "Destroying Phantom Jams with Connectivity and Automation: Nonlinear Dynamics and Control of Mixed Traffic," Transportation Science, INFORMS, vol. 58(6), pages 1319-1334, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:ortrsc:v:58:y:2024:i:6:p:1319-1334
    DOI: 10.1287/trsc.2023.0498
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