IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/p/cdl/itsrrp/qt8n96n91w.html
   My bibliography  Save this paper

A Behavioral Theory of Multi-Lane Traffic Flow Part I: Long Homogeneous Freeway Sections

Author

Listed:
  • Daganzo, Carlos F.

Abstract

This paper proposes a macroscopic behavioral theory of traffic dynamics for homogeneous, multi-lane freeways. The theory makes predictions for separate groups of lanes while recognizing that the traffic stream is usually composed of aggressive and timid drivers. Its principles are so simple that non-scientist drivers can understand them. The simplest version of the theory, which is described in its full complexity without calculus, is shown to be qualitatively consistent with experimental observations, including the most puzzling. Its predictions agree with the following phenomena: (i) the 'reversed lambda' pattern frequently observed in scatter-plots of flow versus occupancy and the lane-specific evolution of the data points with time, including the 'hysteresis' phenomenon, (ii) the lane-specific patterns in the time series of speed (and flow) in both queued and unqueued traffic, and (iii) the peculiar ways in which disturbances of various types propagate across detector stations. The latter effects include the evolution of both, stoppages and transitions between the queued and unqueued traffic regimes. The simple model is specified by means of eight observable parameters. The paper gives a recipe for solving any well-posed problem with this model and does so in sufficient detail to allow the development of computer models. A few approaches and possible generalizations are suggested. A sequel to this paper, devoted to freeway sections near on-ramps, will attempt to explain in more detail than previously attempted how queuing begins at merges.

Suggested Citation

  • Daganzo, Carlos F., 1999. "A Behavioral Theory of Multi-Lane Traffic Flow Part I: Long Homogeneous Freeway Sections," Institute of Transportation Studies, Research Reports, Working Papers, Proceedings qt8n96n91w, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Berkeley.
    • Handle: RePEc:cdl:itsrrp:qt8n96n91w
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.escholarship.org/uc/item/8n96n91w.pdf;origin=repeccitec
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Daganzo, Carlos F., 1997. "A continuum theory of traffic dynamics for freeways with special lanes," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 31(2), pages 83-102, April.
    2. Daganzo, Carlos F. & Lin, Wei-Hua & Del Castillo, Jose M., 1997. "A simple physical principle for the simulation of freeways with special lanes and priority vehicles," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 31(2), pages 103-125, April.
    3. G. F. Newell, 1955. "Mathematical Models for Freely-Flowing Highway Traffic," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 3(2), pages 176-186, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Zhang, H.M. & Kim, T., 2005. "A car-following theory for multiphase vehicular traffic flow," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 39(5), pages 385-399, June.
    2. Zhang, H. Michael & Kim, T., 2002. "Understanding and Modeling Driver Behavior in Dense Traffic Flow," University of California Transportation Center, Working Papers qt5jv2d6f2, University of California Transportation Center.
    3. Banks, James H., 2003. "Average time gaps in congested freeway flow," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 37(6), pages 539-554, July.
    4. Kim, T. & Zhang, H.M., 2008. "A stochastic wave propagation model," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 42(7-8), pages 619-634, August.
    5. Zhang, H. M., 2003. "Anisotropic property revisited--does it hold in multi-lane traffic?," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 37(6), pages 561-577, July.
    6. Zhang, H. Michael & Kim, T., 2003. "A Car-Following Theory for Multiphase Vehicular Traffic Flow," University of California Transportation Center, Working Papers qt9m6307tb, University of California Transportation Center.
    7. Banks, James H. & Amin, Mohammad R. & Cassidy, Michael & Chung, Koohong, 2003. "Validation of Daganzo's Behavioral Theory of Multi-Lane Traffic Flow: Final Report," Institute of Transportation Studies, Research Reports, Working Papers, Proceedings qt550516vw, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Berkeley.
    8. Chung, Koohong & Cassidy, Michael, 2002. "Testing Daganzo's Behavioral Theory for Multi-lane Freeway Traffic," Institute of Transportation Studies, Research Reports, Working Papers, Proceedings qt4dt1k17h, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Berkeley.
    9. Kai Nagel & Peter Wagner & Richard Woesler, 2003. "Still Flowing: Approaches to Traffic Flow and Traffic Jam Modeling," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 51(5), pages 681-710, October.
    10. Zhang, H.M. & Kim, T., 2003. "A car-following theory for multiphase vehicular traffic flow," University of California Transportation Center, Working Papers qt30k0t04m, University of California Transportation Center.
    11. Banks, James, 2002. "Validation of Daganzo's Behavioral Theory of Mult-Lane Traffic Flow: Interim Report," Institute of Transportation Studies, Research Reports, Working Papers, Proceedings qt4p57p2tc, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Berkeley.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Daganzo, Carlos F., 2002. "A behavioral theory of multi-lane traffic flow. Part I: Long homogeneous freeway sections," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 36(2), pages 131-158, February.
    2. Robert, Tim & Lin, Wei-Hua & Cassidy, Michael, 1999. "Validation of the Incremental Transfer Model," Institute of Transportation Studies, Research Reports, Working Papers, Proceedings qt48s3v44r, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Berkeley.
    3. Munoz, Juan Carlos & Daganzo, Carlos, 2000. "Experimental Characterization of Multi-Lane Freeway Traffic Upstream of an Off-Ramp Bottleneck," Institute of Transportation Studies, Research Reports, Working Papers, Proceedings qt8635j1df, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Berkeley.
    4. Zheng, Zuduo, 2014. "Recent developments and research needs in modeling lane changing," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 16-32.
    5. Horowitz, Roberto & May, Adolf & Skabardonis, Alex & Varaiya, Pravin & Zhang, Michael & Gomes, Gabriel & Munoz, Laura & Sun, Xiaotian & Sun, Dengfeng, 2005. "Design, Field Implementation and Evaluation of Adaptive Ramp Metering Algorithms," Institute of Transportation Studies, Research Reports, Working Papers, Proceedings qt5p06q6k5, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Berkeley.
    6. Juan Carlos Muñoz & Carlos F. Daganzo, 2003. "Structure of the Transition Zone Behind Freeway Queues," Transportation Science, INFORMS, vol. 37(3), pages 312-329, August.
    7. Nair, Rahul & Mahmassani, Hani S. & Miller-Hooks, Elise, 2011. "A porous flow approach to modeling heterogeneous traffic in disordered systems," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 45(9), pages 1331-1345.
    8. Jin, Wen-Long, 2013. "A multi-commodity Lighthill–Whitham–Richards model of lane-changing traffic flow," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 361-377.
    9. Logghe, S. & Immers, L.H., 2008. "Multi-class kinematic wave theory of traffic flow," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 42(6), pages 523-541, July.
    10. Newell, G. F., 1999. "Delays caused by a queue at a freeway exit ramp," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 33(5), pages 337-350, June.
    11. Laval, Jorge A. & Daganzo, Carlos F., 2006. "Lane-changing in traffic streams," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 40(3), pages 251-264, March.
    12. Wen-Long Jin, 2015. "Analysis of Kinematic Waves Arising in Diverging Traffic Flow Models," Transportation Science, INFORMS, vol. 49(1), pages 28-45, February.
    13. Muñoz, Juan Carlos & Daganzo, Carlos F., 2002. "The bottleneck mechanism of a freeway diverge," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 36(6), pages 483-505, July.
    14. Helbing, Dirk & Hennecke, Ansgar & Shvetsov, Vladimir & Treiber, Martin, 2001. "MASTER: macroscopic traffic simulation based on a gas-kinetic, non-local traffic model," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 35(2), pages 183-211, February.
    15. Jin, Wen-Long, 2018. "Unifiable multi-commodity kinematic wave model," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 117(PB), pages 639-659.
    16. Zhang, Fang & Lu, Jian & Hu, Xiaojian & Meng, Qiang, 2023. "A stochastic dynamic network loading model for mixed traffic with autonomous and human-driven vehicles," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 178(C).
    17. Zhou, Hao & Toth, Christopher & Guensler, Randall & Laval, Jorge, 2022. "Hybrid modeling of lane changes near freeway diverges," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 165(C), pages 1-14.
    18. Jin, Wen-Long & Zhang, H. Michael, 2013. "An instantaneous kinematic wave theory of diverging traffic," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 1-16.
    19. Flötteröd, Gunnar & Rohde, Jannis, 2011. "Operational macroscopic modeling of complex urban road intersections," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 45(6), pages 903-922, July.
    20. Laval, Jorge A. & Daganzo, Carlos F., 2004. "Multi-Lane Hybrid Traffic Flow Model: Quantifying the Impacts of Lane-Changing Maneuvers on Traffic Flow," Institute of Transportation Studies, Research Reports, Working Papers, Proceedings qt8w70q261, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Berkeley.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:cdl:itsrrp:qt8n96n91w. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Lisa Schiff (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://edirc.repec.org/data/itucbus.html .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.