Lattice Boltzmann Method for Heterogeneous Multi-class Traffic Flow

TL;DR

This paper introduces an improved lattice Boltzmann method to model heterogeneous multi-class traffic flow, enabling realistic simulations of traffic phenomena like jams and lane changes with a solid theoretical basis.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel, improved lattice Boltzmann method tailored for multi-class, heterogeneous traffic flow, overcoming previous modeling difficulties.

Findings

Successfully reproduces the fundamental diagram for traffic flow

Capable of simulating complex traffic scenarios like merging and lane reduction

Captures traffic jams and flow disruptions accurately

Abstract

The traffic modelling often keeps the mesoscopic scale in the theoretical sphere because the integro-differential nature of its equations. In the present work we suggest to use the lattice Boltzmann method to overcome these difficulties. In particular, the method has a strong theoretical foundation. An improved version of the lattice Boltzmann method for multi-class and heterogeneities, has been introduced here. Its ability to reproduce the fundamental diagram is proved here, for both single-class and multi-class flows. This allows easily simulating complex and realistic cases of mixture of multi-class traffic flow. These simulations are able to capture jamming in various traffic situations such as road merging, reduction of number of lanes or change of speed limits.