TRAFFIC FLOW THEORY AND CHAOTIC BEHAVIOR

Many commonly occurring natural systems are modeled with mathematical expressions and exhibit a certain stability. The inherent stability of these equations allows them to serve as the basis for engineering predictions. More complex models, such as those for modeling traffic flow, lack stability and thus require considerable care when used as a basis for predictions. In 1960, Gazis, Herman, and Rothery introduced their generalized car-follow equation for modeling traffic flow. Experience has shown that this equation may not be continuous for the entire range of input parameters. The discontinuous behavior and nonlinearity of the equation suggest chaotic solutions for certain ranges of input parameters. Understanding the chaotic tendencies of this equation allows engineers to improve the reliability of models and predictions based on those models. This paper describes chaotic behavior and briefly discusses the methodology of the algorithm used to detect its presence in the car-follow equation. Also discussed are two systems modeled with the equation and their associated chaotic properties.

• Record URL:
  http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1989/1225/1225-013.pdf
• Record URL:
  https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=TRAFFIC+FLOW+THEORY+AND+CHAOTIC+BEHAVIOR&author=J.+Disbro&author=M.+Frame&publication_year=1989
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0309049520
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper appears in Transportation Research Record No. 1225, Highway Capacity, Flow Measurement, and Theory. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved
• Authors:
  • Disbro, John E
  • Frame, Michael
• Publication Date: 1989

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: p. 109-115
• Monograph Title: Highway capacity, flow measurement, and theory
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 1225
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Algorithms; Car following; Case studies; Equations; Forecasting; Nonlinear systems; Reliability; Traffic flow theory; Traffic simulation
• Uncontrolled Terms: Chaos; Discontinuity; Nonlinearity
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; I71: Traffic Theory;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00494972
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309049520
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Jun 30 1990 12:00AM