Multiscale Traffic Flow Model Based on the Mesoscopic Lighthill–Whitham and Richards Models

This article reviews the multiscale modeling concept as an adaptive strategy in traffic flow modeling. The central objective for the multiscale model is to describe and to predict traffic phenomena (e.g., individual accelerations, queuing) that occur at different scales by switching between modeling paradigms. The emphasis in this paper is placed on resolving inconsistencies that arise in the process of integrating models, which are addressed with the mesoscopic Lighthill–Whitham and Richards models—together, widely known as the Lighthill–Whitham– Richards (LWR) model—as the coarse-scale model in the framework. The mesoscopic model is fully consistent at the macroscopic scale with the classic LWR model but does facilitate tracking of individual vehicles. Because of this characteristic, this model can be combined with microscopic models, because no disaggregation or aggregation process is needed. It is thus implied, for example, that travel information (e.g., destination) can be carried over this model without loss of information. Also, vehicle heterogeneity can be incorporated in the mesoscopic model and, as a result, is preserved in the process of switching between models. A brief overview of the mesoscopic LWR model and its solution by the variational theory is presented. General boundary conditions, including internal boundaries (e.g., moving bottlenecks) and interfaces between models, are analyzed and evaluated. The solution of some cases, in which the stationary and moving bottlenecks interact, is provided. The paper concludes with a case study that demonstrates the integration of microscopic and mesoscopic models in a multiscale model and investigates the influence of various boundary conditions on traffic features.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.3141/2491-11
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/173559.aspx
• Authors:
  • Joueiai, Mahtab
  • Leclercq, Ludovic
  • Van Lint, Hans
  • Hoogendoorn, Serge
• Publication Date: 2015

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: pp 98–106
• Monograph Title: Traffic Flow Theory and Characteristics, Volume 2
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board
  • Issue Number: 2491
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Case studies; Mesoscopic traffic flow; Microscopic traffic flow; Traffic flow theory; Traffic models
• Identifier Terms: Lighthill-Whitham-Richards traffic flow model
• Uncontrolled Terms: Boundary conditions; Integrated models; Multiscale modeling
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Planning and Forecasting; I71: Traffic Theory;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01557134
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 9780309369275
• Report/Paper Numbers: 15-5311
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Mar 18 2015 11:32AM