0% found this document useful (0 votes)
57 views5 pages

Traffic Flow Models and Analysis

Uploaded by

truekatara
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
0% found this document useful (0 votes)
57 views5 pages

Traffic Flow Models and Analysis

Uploaded by

truekatara
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

CIVENG 4TA4 – Winter 2024

Tutorial # 2
Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Question 1

A Traffic Engineer Calibrated Greenshields model based on the local conditions on a rural
highway and developed the following relationship between the flow and density:

q=100K – K2

Based on the calibrated model. Answer the following questions:


1) What is the capacity of the highway?
2) What are the spacing and headway corresponding to capacity?
3) What is the expected speed at a density level of 30 veh/km?

Solution

The relationship between q and k in Greenshields model is expressed as follows:


Vf
q = KVf − K 2
Kj

Comparing this form to the given equation, we can deduce that:


Vf = 100 km/h
V
And Kf = 1 (i.e., Kj = 100 veh/km)
j

Kj Vf 100×100
1) q m = = = 𝟐𝟓𝟎𝟎 𝐯𝐞𝐡/𝐡
4 4

2) Headway at capacity (hm)


hm = 3600/qm
hm = 3600/2500 = 1.44 seconds

Spacing at capacity (Sm)


Sm = 1000/Km
Km = Kj/2 = 50 veh/km
Hence, Sm = 1000/50 = 20 m

3) According to Greenshields model:


Vf
V = Vf − K
Kj
100
Then, at k = 30, V = 100 − (30) = 𝟕𝟎𝐤𝐦/𝐡
100

Page 1
Question 2

Another Traffic Engineer thought the data collected in the previous question was not sufficient to
calibrate the model and consequently, the accuracy of the model used was insufficient. The
Engineer collected additional data and decided that Greenberg model is better suited to model
traffic on the highway. The engineer calibrated Greenberg model based on the collected data and
developed the following q-k relationship:

q=50K * (4.4998 – ln (k))

Redo the previous question based on the new model.

Solution

The relationship between q and k in Greenberg model is expressed as follows:


KJ
q = KVm ln ( )
K
Or
q = KVm × (ln(K j ) − ln (K))

Comparing this form to the given equation, we can deduce that:


Vm = 50 km/h
And Kj = e(4.4998) = 90 veh/km
K 90
1) K m = ej = e = 33.11 veh/h
𝑞𝑚 = 𝐾𝑚 𝑉𝑚 = 33.11 × 50 = 𝟏𝟔𝟓𝟓. 𝟓 𝒗𝒆𝒉/𝒉

2) Head way at capacity (hm)


hm = 3600/qm
hm = 3600/1655.5 = 2.18 seconds

Spacing at capacity (Sm)


Sm = 1000/Km
Sm = 1000/33.11 = 30.20 m

3) According to Greenberg model:


𝐾𝐽
𝑉 = 𝑉𝑚 ln ( )
𝐾
90
Then, at k = 30, 𝑉 = 50 × ln (30) = 𝟓𝟒. 𝟗𝟑 𝒌𝒎/𝒉

Page 2
Question 3

Consider the following two-regime model:

103 − 1.3184𝑘 (𝑘 ≤ 40)


𝑣={
64.5 − 0.43𝑘 (𝐾 > 40)

According to the model, answer the following questions:


1) What are the free-flow speed and the jam density?
2) What are the average spacing and average headway corresponding to speeds of 30 and 60
km/h?
3) Plot the three fundamental diagrams for the model (i.e., plot the q-K, q-V, and K-V
relationships).

Solution

1) Free flow speed is observed at k = 0


at K = 0, Vf = 103 – (1.3184*0) = 103 km/h

Jam density occurs at V = 0


0 = 64.5 – 0.43*Kj
Kj = 64.5/0.43 = 150 veh/km/lane

2) To get spacing (which is related to density), we can simply use the V-K equation and get
the density corresponding to a given speed. The problem is that we have two equations for
V-K relationship, and we do not know which one to use for a given speed.
Thus, we need to have an idea about the speed range in which we can use each equation
first. If we set k = 40 in the first equation, the speed would equal 103 – (1.3184 * 40) =
50.26 km/h. This means that the first equation is applicable for speed values higher than
50.26 km/h.

So, to get K corresponding to 30 km/h (which is < 50.26), we will use the second equation.
30 = 64.50 – 0.43 K
K = 80.23 veh/km/lane
Average spacing: S = 1000 / 80.23 = 12.46 m
Average flow: q = V * K = 80.23 * 30 = 2406.9 veh/h
Then, the average headway: h = 3600/2406.9 = 1.5 s

And to get K corresponding to 60 km/h (which is > 50.26), we will use the first equation.
60 = 103 – 1.3184 K
K = 32.62 veh/km/lane
Average spacing: S = 1000 / 32.62 = 30.66 m
Average flow: q = V * K = 32.62 * 60 = 1957.2 veh/h

Page 3
Then, the average headway: h = 3600/1957.2 = 1.84 s

3) Using the equation above, we can calculate the density corresponding to any speed value.
Consequently, the flow can be calculated (q = K*V)

K (veh/km) V (km/h) Equation used to calculate v q (veh/h)


0 103 1 0
5 96.408 1 482.04
10 89.816 1 898.16
15 83.224 1 1248.36
20 76.632 1 1532.64
25 70.04 1 1751
30 63.448 1 1903.44
35 56.856 1 1989.96
40 50.264 1 2010.56
40.01 47.2957 2 1892.300957
45 45.15 2 2031.75
50 43 2 2150
55 40.85 2 2246.75
60 38.7 2 2322
65 36.55 2 2375.75
70 34.4 2 2408
75 32.25 2 2418.75
80 30.1 2 2408
85 27.95 2 2375.75
90 25.8 2 2322
95 23.65 2 2246.75
100 21.5 2 2150
105 19.35 2 2031.75
110 17.2 2 1892
115 15.05 2 1730.75
120 12.9 2 1548
125 10.75 2 1343.75
130 8.6 2 1118
135 6.45 2 870.75
140 4.3 2 602
145 2.15 2 311.75
150 0 2 0

Page 4
120
V-K relationship
100

80
V (km/h)

60

40

20

0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160
K (veh/km)

3000
q-K relationship
2500

2000
q (veh/h)

1500

1000

500

0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160
K (veh/km)

120
V-q relationship
100

80
V (km/h)

60

40

20

0
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000
q (veh/h)

Page 5

Common questions

Powered by AI

Free-flow speed is determined at zero density, yielding 103 km/h for the two-regime model . Jam density is found by setting the speed to zero in the low-speed equation, resulting in a jam density of 150 veh/km . These parameters define the boundaries of the operational range of the traffic model.

Key factors include the range of traffic conditions to be modeled (e.g., free-flow versus congested), data availability for model calibration, and model complexity in reflecting realistic traffic dynamics. For instance, Greenshields' models are straightforward for linear relationships, while Greenberg offers more nuanced congestion handling . Also, the potential need for more differentiated data or transitional handling points in a two-regime model should be considered for fine-tuning predictions.

Greenshields' model uses a quadratic equation q = 100k - k², assuming a linear relationship between speed and density, indicative of simpler conditions suitable for less congested flows . This form implies maximum flow at an intermediate density. Greenberg's model, however, uses a logarithmic form q = 50k * (4.4998 – ln(k)), indicating nonlinear congested flow considerations, accommodating more realistic dense traffic scenarios . Each reflects differing assumptions on vehicle interaction.

Greenshields' model predicts a spacing of 20 m and a headway of 1.44 seconds at capacity, whereas Greenberg's model yields a larger spacing of 30.20 m and a longer headway of 2.18 seconds at its maximum capacity . These differences could imply that the Greenshields model anticipates a more packed flow, with vehicles closer together and passing points more frequently, which might not capture the behavior accurately in congested scenarios unlike the Greenberg model.

The maximum capacity of the highway using Greenshields' model is 2500 veh/h . In contrast, using the Greenberg model, the maximum capacity is 1655.5 veh/h . Comparing both, Greenshields' model predicts a higher capacity than Greenberg's model, which might suggest Greenshields' model accounts for higher density flows more efficiently under the assumed conditions of the simpler linear relationship between speed and density.

According to Greenshields' model, at a density of 30 veh/km, the expected speed is 70 km/h . In contrast, Greenberg's model results in an expected speed of 54.93 km/h at the same density . This difference highlights how the two models interpret the relationship between speed and density differently, with Greenshields' model predicting higher speeds under similar conditions.

Interpreting fundamental diagrams involves understanding the data relationships: q-K (flow-density), q-V (flow-speed), and K-V (density-speed). For these plots, the equations provided are solved for various densities and speeds, reflecting operational characteristics at different traffic states. The q-K diagram shows expected maximum flow rates, q-V reflects efficiency at different speeds, and K-V illustrates how speed changes with density factors . Correct model selection ensures accurate projections on these diagrams.

Two-regime models, like the one provided, can capture different traffic phases more accurately by applying distinct equations for varying conditions (e.g., heavy versus light traffic). The benefit is more tailored predictions that align better with observed variances in speed-density relationships, potentially improving traffic management . However, the complexity of determining which equation to apply at transitional states could complicate the analysis and require more detailed data to optimize effectively. Matching observed data points to the correct regime without loss of accuracy can also be more challenging.

The two-regime model requires determining which segment of the model applies by considering the speed relative to 50.26 km/h. For speeds higher than 50.26 km/h, the equation v = 103 − 1.3184k is used. For speeds lower than this threshold, such as 30 km/h, the equation v = 64.5 – 0.43k is applied . This bifurcation in model application ensures the use of a suitable correlation between density and speed depending on the traffic conditions represented by the speed value.

A traffic engineer might choose Greenberg's model over Greenshields' due to its logarithmic relationship, which may better capture the nonlinearities in traffic flow, particularly in congested conditions where density is high and speed relations are less linear . Greenberg's model might offer more precise predictions in these contexts, as reflected by its lower calculated capacity, potentially indicating greater sensitivity to traffic disturbances.

You might also like