Output details

Criteria for convective versus absolute string instability in car-following models

Traffic simulations inform both strategic transport-planning forecasts and dynamic traffic-control applications. Traffic jams are like waves and empirical data suggests that these waves propagate backwards (opposite to driving direction). However, some major traffic-simulation models do not respect this. Paper extends fluids ideas of signal and

group velocity to give systematic analytical tool that computes wave-propagation direction. In consultancy work, Wilson is advising UK National Traffic Information Service (NTIS) on real-time selection of strategic diversions. Proposed forecasting option for this is ensembled microsimulation, with fidelity of emergent dynamics assured (in part) by checks developed in this paper.