Influence of driver behavior in the emergence of traffic gridlocks

TL;DR

This paper investigates how driver behavior, particularly aggression levels, influences the formation of traffic gridlocks at signalized intersections, highlighting that even few aggressive drivers can cause severe congestion.

Contribution

The study introduces a microscopic driving algorithm and decision trees to analyze the impact of aggressive versus careful driving on traffic gridlock formation.

Findings

Gridlocks can form with very few aggressive drivers present.

Aggressive drivers tend to block intersections during red lights, causing congestion.

Promoting careful driving could reduce traffic gridlocks during rush hours.

Abstract

We present a microscopic driving algorithm that prescribes the acceleration using three parameters: the distance to the leading vehicle, to the next traffic light and to the nearest stopping point when the next traffic light is in the red phase. We apply this algorithm to construct decision trees that enable two driving behaviors: aggressive and careful. The focus of this study is to analyze the amount of aggressive drivers that are needed in order to generate a traffic gridlock in a portion of a city with signalized intersections. At rush hour, aggressive drivers will enter the intersection regardless if they have enough time or space to clear it. When their traffic light changes they block other drivers, thus providing the conditions for a gridlock to develop. We find that gridlocks emerge even with very few aggressive drivers present. These results support the idea of promoting good driving behavior to avoid heavy congestion during rush hours.