Generalizing second order macroscopic models via relative velocity of disturbances propagation in traffic flow

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel approach to generalize second-order macroscopic traffic models by focusing on the relative velocity of disturbances propagation, validated through real-world freeway simulations.

Contribution

It proposes a new method that characterizes traffic models based on disturbance propagation velocity, enhancing the understanding and generalization of second-order traffic models.

Findings

The approach accurately captures traffic dynamics in simulations.

Validation with PeMS data confirms the model's effectiveness.

Properties of phenomenological models are determined by disturbance velocity.

Abstract

In this paper, we present a new approach that generalizes the existing second-order hydrodynamic traffic models. In the proposed approach, we use the expression for the relative velocity of disturbances propagation in traffic flow. We show that properties of any phenomenological model are fully defined by how the relative velocity of disturbances propagation expressed in the model. We verify the proposed approach through simulations of the Interstate 580 freeway segment in California, USA, with traffic measurements from the Performance Measurement System (PeMS).