Macroscopic modeling of lane‐changing for two‐lane traffic flow

Abstract

We propose a macroscopic model of lane-changing that is consistent with car-following behavior on a two-lane highway. Using linear stability theory, we find that lane-changing affects the stable region and the propagation speeds of the first-order and second-order waves. In analyzing a small disturbance, our model effectively reproduces certain non-equilibrium traffic-flow phenomena -small disturbance instability, stop-and-go waves, and local clusters that are affected by lane-changing. The model also gives the flow-density relationships in terms of the actual flow rate, the lane-changing rate, and the difference between the potential flow rate (the flow rate that would have occurred without lane-changing) and the actual flow rate. The relationships between the actual flow rate and traffic density and between the lane-changing rate and traffic density follow a reverse-lambda shape, which is largely consistent with observed traffic phenomena.

Modeling Lane-Changing Behavior in Freeway Off-Ramp Areas from the Shanghai Naturalistic Driving Study

“…Up to now, lane-changing characteristics and influencing factors in urban roads or freeways have been studied from the perspectives of driver behavior [3] and road and traffic conditions [4,5]. In these studies, lane-changes can be classified as either mandatory or discretionary according to driving incentives [6].…”

Phase diagram of a non-signalized T-shaped intersection

“…In the following simulations, we deem the third case (i.e. P TR1 < P TL2 ) because P TR1 14 has less influence on the traffic. 15 In order to get better insights into the traffic dynamics in those regions, we plotted the spacetime of both lanes (Fig.…”

“…P TL3 ) the ratio of: right turning vehicles on lane 1, the left turning vehicles on 14 lane 2, and the right (resp. left) turning vehicles on entry lane of the minor road (i.e.…”

“…in cells T 1 , T 2 , T 3 , T 4 ). 13 To describe the motion of a vehicle, we use the NS model [1]; where all vehicles are handled in parallel during one time step 14 according to the four rules:…”

Simulating Lane-changing Dynamics towards Lane-flow Equilibrium Based on Multi-lane First Order Traffic Flow Model

“…Besides, the hybrid approach combining microscopic and macroscopic model, which can be seen in Hong et al (2010) and Okaue and Okushima (2010), is not feasible in the model-based decision support system. Tang et al (2009) andJin (2010) developed macroscopic models depicting lane change traffic which considered the disturbances to the traffic flow caused by lane changes. However, the representation of the models is not in lane-specific manner.…”