Traffic flow and safety analysis

Abstract

Traffic rule is a key factor affecting traffic flow and safety. We develop our models, including the cellular automata traffic flow model as well as the linear regression one, aiming at calculating traffic flow and evaluating safety conditions with varied traffic rules. Then, we thoroughly investigate four types of paths in a freeway, namely two straight lanes, three straight lanes, ramps, and roundabouts as case studies and discuss the different traffic rules as comparison. The results demonstrate that “Keep-Right-Except-To-Pass” rule is not as effective as the free rule in promoting traffic flow; however, this rule ensures safety for drivers better than the free rule. Additionally, a new traffic rule, which sets different posted speed limits for adjacent lanes, is proposed to promote better traffic flow with safety requirements satisfied. Furthermore, we apply effective rules and alternatives, left driving norms as well as intelligent system as extension and obtain better results. Finally, model's sensitivity analysis regarding to probability of decelerating and posted speed limits proves the stability of our results. Keywords: Traffic flow, Cellular automata, Safety evaluation