Macroscopic and multi-scale models for multi-class vehicular dynamics with uneven space occupancy: a case study

TL;DR

This paper introduces two multi-scale models for simulating multi-class vehicular traffic on two-lane highways, capturing interactions, uneven space occupancy, and phenomena like stop-and-go waves, validated with real sensor data.

Contribution

It presents novel coupled macroscopic and microscopic models specifically designed for multi-class traffic with uneven space occupancy, including the creeping phenomenon.

Findings

Models accurately reproduce stop & go waves.

Calibration with real sensor data validates model effectiveness.

Both models capture second-order inertial effects.

Abstract

In this paper we propose two models describing the dynamics of heavy and light vehicles on a road network, taking into account the interactions between the two classes. The models are tailored for two-lane highways where heavy vehicles cannot overtake. This means that heavy vehicles cannot saturate the whole road space, while light vehicles can. In these conditions the creeping phenomenon can appear, i.e. one class of vehicles can proceed even if the other class has reached the maximal density. The first model we propose couples two first-order macroscopic LWR models, while the second model couples a second-order microscopic Follow-the-Leader model with a first-order macroscopic LWR model. Numerical results show that both models are able to catch some second-order (inertial) phenomena like stop & go waves. Models are calibrated by means of real data measured by fixed sensors placed along the A4 Italian highway Trieste-Venice and its branches, provided by Autovie Venete S.p.A.