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The Not-So-Fundamental Relationship Between Traffic Flow and Speed?

Author

Listed:
  • Till Kösters

    (Institute of Transport Economics, Muenster)

  • Sebastian Specht

    (Institute of Transport Economics, Muenster)

  • Jan Wessel

    (Institute of Transport Economics, Muenster)

Abstract

The fundamental diagram of traffic congestion states that driving speed generally decreases with traffic flow, and that marginal decreases become more pronounced for higher flows. We find, however, that this seemingly fundamental relationship breaks down when only very few cars are on the road, and speed actually increases with traffic flow. To reveal this surprising finding, we use a unique large-scale real-world dataset with per-minute traffic observations from the German Autobahn, and control for confounders of the speed-flow relationship in a fixed-effects regression model. By linking our robust results to psychological research on social interaction effects in traffic, we then discuss potential reasons for this behaviour.

Suggested Citation

  • Till Kösters & Sebastian Specht & Jan Wessel, 2024. "The Not-So-Fundamental Relationship Between Traffic Flow and Speed?," Working Papers 41, Institute of Transport Economics, University of Muenster.
    • Handle: RePEc:mut:wpaper:41
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    File URL: https://www.wiwi.uni-muenster.de/ivm/sites/ivm/files/documents/forschung/diskussionspapiere/workingpaper41.pdf
    File Function: First Version, 2024
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    speed-flow relationship; fundamental diagram of traffic congestion; traffic psychology;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R41 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Transportation: Demand, Supply, and Congestion; Travel Time; Safety and Accidents; Transportation Noise

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