Analysis and Modeling of Some Traffic Characteristics using Lattice Hydrodynamic Approach

Abstract

Mathematical models can be used to study various non-equilibrium systems that are of current interest. Among them, traffic flow is the most important one. In this light, present research contributes to the modeling and analysis of some real traffic charac- teristics using lattice hydrodynamic approach. Under lattice hydrodynamic approach, space is discretized in the form of lattice sites. The model is formed by the set of continuity equation and a momentum equation consisting of global variables that de- scribe the aggregate behavior of traffic flow at each site. Traffic problems are defined by considering road design such as curved road and curved road with slope as well as driver s behavior both for one and two lane. Furthermore, the effect of heterogeneous traffic on unidirectional single lane highway is presented. The most common feature of overtaking has also been incorporated in lattice model using feedback control for one dimensional system. Moreover, the extensions are made for two dimensional sys- tem by incorporating the effect of bidirectional flow. All the models are analyzed theoretically by linear as well as nonlinear analysis and theoretical investigations are validated through numerical simulations. With the aim to investigate, how different factors affect the stability of traffic flow, models are analyzed and programming is done on MATLAB software. The effect of different parameters representing different traffic phenomena has been presented through graphs. The thesis is presented in six chapters: In Chapter 1 background of the proposed study followed by its need is given. Then the objective is defined along with the justification of the study. Further, the tools and techniques adopted in the study are discussed. Briefly, the scope and limitation of the study are proposed. Chapter 2 is devoted to the problem of traffic due to road geometry. We propose an improved lattice model for curved road by including the impact of driver s characteris- tics on a unidirectional one lane road.