Introduction to Modern Traffic Flow Theory and Control (eBook)

Preface 5
Contents 7
Acronyms and Symbols 10
Introduction 13
References 17
Part I Three-Phase Traffic Theory 19
Definitions of The Three Traffic Phases 20
Traffic Variables, Parameters, and Patterns 20
Free Flow (F) and Congested Traffic 24
Methodology of Three-Phase Traffic Theory 29
Two Traffic Phases in Congested Traffic: Wide Moving Jam (J) and Synchronized Flow (S) 31
Characteristic Parameters of Wide Moving Jam Propagation 37
Microscopic Criterion for Traffic Phases in Congested Traffic 41
Motivation for Traffic Phase Definitions 49
References 50
Nature of Traffic Breakdown at Bottleneck 52
Induced Traffic Breakdown 52
Explanation of Nature of Traffic Breakdown at Bottleneck through Fundamental Hypothesis of Three-Phase Traffic Theory 56
Nucleation Features of Traffic Breakdown at Bottleneck 68
Dual Role of Lane Changing in Free Flow: Maintenance of Free Flow or Traffic Breakdown 80
References 83
Infinite Number of Highway Capacities of Free Flow at Bottleneck 84
Definition of Highway Capacity of Free Flow at Bottleneck 85
Characteristics of Highway Capacities 86
References 90
Nature of Moving Jam Emergence 91
Pinch Effect in Synchronized Flow 91
Nucleation Features of Wide Moving Jam Emergence in Synchronized Flow 93
Dual Role of Lane Changing in Synchronized Flow: Maintenance of Synchronized Flow or Wide Moving Jam Emergence 100
Comparison of FS and SJ Transitions 103
Empirical Double Z-Characteristic for Phase Transitions in Traffic Flow 105
References 108
Origin of Hypotheses and Terms of Three-Phase Traffic Theory 109
Hypotheses of Three-Phase Traffic Theory as The Result of Empirical Criteria for Traffic Phases 109
Are Terms of Natural Science used in Three-Phase Traffic Theory Needed for Transportation Engineering? 110
References 115
Spatiotemporal Traffic Congested Patterns 117
Simplified Diagram of Congested Patterns at Isolated Bottleneck 117
Variety of Congested Patterns at Isolated Bottleneck 119
Complex Congested Patterns at Adjacent Bottlenecks 136
References 145
Part II Impact of Three-Phase Traffic Theory on Transportation Engineering 146
Introduction to Part II: Compendium of Three-Phase Traffic Theory 147
References 150
Freeway Traffic Control based on Three-Phase Traffic Theory 151
Reconstruction and Tracking of Congested Patterns 151
Feedback On-Ramp Metering 158
Speed Limit Control 163
Cooperative Driving for Improving of Traffic Flow and Safety 167
Traffic Control based on Wireless Car Communication 170
Adaptive Cruise Control 176
References 178
Earlier Theoretical Basis of Transportation Engineering: Fundamental Diagram Approach 181
Traffic Description and Control based on Fundamental Diagram of Traffic Flow 181
Congested Traffic Description in the Framework of Lighthill-Whitham-Richards (LWR) Traffic Flow Theory 185
Traffic Breakdown Description through Free Flow Instability in General Motors (GM) Model Class 190
Common Features of earlier Traffic Flow Models 208
Empirical Tests of earlier Traffic Flow Models 211
Applications of Highway Capacity Definitions in Transportation Engineering 213
Comparison of Feedback On-Ramp Metering Methods 222
References 224
Three-Phase Traffic Flow Models 228
Overview of Three-Phase Traffic Flow Models 228
Deterministic Acceleration Time Delay Three-Phase Traffic Flow Model 229
Stochastic Three-Phase Traffic Flow Model 236
Cellular Automata Three-Phase Traffic Flow Model 244
Methodology of Empirical Test 245
What Three-Phase Traffic Flow Model is better to Use? 246
References 249
Linking of Three-Phase Traffic Theory and Fundamental Diagram Approach to Traffic Flow Modeling 251
Three-Phase Traffic Models in the Framework of Fundamental Diagram Approach 251
What Features of Three-Phase Traffic Theory are Missing in Earlier Traffic Flow Theories and Models? 255
References 258
Conclusions and Outlook 259
Glossary 261
Index 269