New generic multiclass kinematic wave traffic flow model

Abstract

We propose and analyze a generic multi-class kinematic wave traffic flow model: Fastlane. The model takes into account heterogeneity among driver-vehicle units with respect to speed and space occupancy: long vehicles with large headways (e.g. trucks) take more space than short vehicles with short headways (e.g. passenger cars). Moreover, and this is what makes the model unique, this effect is larger when the traffic volume is higher. This state dependent space occupancy is reflected in dynamic passenger car equivalent values. The resulting model is shown to satisfy important requirements such as providing a unique solution and being anisotropic. Simulations are applied to compare Fastlane to other multiclass models. Furthermore, we show that the characteristic velocity depends on the truck share, which is one of the main consequences of our modeling approach.