A mixed-flow model for heterogeneous vehicles enforcing a movement control protocol utilizing a vehicular size-based equilibrium speed function

Abstract

This work addressed the effect of heterogeneous vehicle sizes on traffic flow fields by introducing a movement control protocol. Considering a continuum traffic model, a new equilibrium velocity function that is dependent on traffic density was introduced to account for the effect of vehicle size. The established model showed a quantitative comparison between the Optimal Velocity and Full Velocity Difference models. A neutral stability test was carried out to evaluate the model's capability of neutralizing flow fields. The density wave behavior near a critical point was portrayed by deducing the Korteweg–de Vries–Burgers equation through a nonlinear analysis. A series of numerical simulations, the outcomes of which agreed well with the analytical results, was performed to observe the overall flow field scenario.

Keywords

• Mixed-flow macroscopic traffic model
• Diverse vehicle capability
• Equilibrium speed function associated with vehicle's sizes