LWR Model
LWR Model
LWR Model
Emanuel P. Fontelles
T
opicos de Mec
anica Estatstica
June, 2016
Introduction
Continuity Equation:
The continuity equation is a partial differential or difference equation for
the macroscopic quantities (density) and V (speed) or Q (flow). Due to
the hydrodynamic relation flow equals density times speed these two
options are equivalent. While the parameterless continuity equation is
always valid, we need an additional equation for the flow or speed to
complete the model.
Since the continuity equation is completely determined by the geometry of the road infrastructure, the macroscopic models differ in their
modeling of speed or flow, only.
Continuity Equation:
tot
t
(tot V )
x
=0
e
+ Ve + dV
=0
d
t
x
LWR Model
LWR Model
= density
V () = preferred velocity, a given nonincreasing function of ,
nonnegative for between 0 and m (thejam density)
Predicts piece-wise smooth density, with transitions between regions
approximated by shocks
Problem: Doesnt adequately describe the motion of cars passing
through shocks (cars change velocity instantaneously)
0 (x) = (x, 0)
dQe
d
d(Ve ())
d
8.3.1 Formation
Continuous LWR models describes density variations of constant
amplitudes but with varying local propagation velocities
How to density variations affects the traffic?
How to behave the vehicles on a stop-go-wave? (Density Profile)
Figure: A shock front at location x12 (t) with constant flow and density within
small road sections on either side.
c12 =
dn
dt
gives us
Q2 Q1
Qe (1 ) Qe (2 )
=
2 1
2 1
Figure: Cells of the CTM for a simple straight road and definition of the relevant
quantities for the supply demand method.
1
max
1
max
8.5.9 Examples
Shock waves are not very realistic in describing traffic flow. Furthermore,
the associated discontinuities turn out to be problematic for a numerical
solution - at least for non-triangular fundamental diagrams. As a simple
phenomenological solution, one may introduce diffusion to the continuity
equation by adding a diffusion term D/x 2 with the diffusion constant
D > 0:
Questions?