The Physics of Traffic: Empirical Freeway Pattern Features, Engineering Applications, and Theory (Hardcover, 2004)

1 Introduction.- I Historical Overview and Three-Phase Traffic Theory.- 2 Spatiotemporal Pattern Formation in Freeway Traffic.- 2.1 Introduction.- 2.2 Traffic and Synergetics.- 2.3 Free and Congested Traffic.- 2.3.1 Local Measurements of Traffic Variables.- 2.3.2 Examples of Freeway Infrastructures and Detector Arrangements.- 2.3.3 Free Traffic Flow.- 2.3.4 Congested Traffic.- 2.3.5 Empirical Fundamental Diagram.- 2.3.6 Complex Local Dynamics of Congested Traffic.- 2.4 Main Empirical Features of Spatiotemporal Congested Patterns.- 2.4.1 Three Traffic Phases.- 2.4.2 Characteristic Parameters of Wide Moving Jams.- 2.4.3 Spontaneous Breakdown Phenomenon (Spontaneous F?S Transition).- 2.4.4 Induced Breakdown Phenomenon.- 2.4.5 Synchronized Flow Patterns.- 2.4.6 Catch Effect.- 2.4.7 Moving Jam Emergence in Synchronized Flow: General Pattern.- 2.4.8 Expanded Congested Patterns.- 2.4.9 Foreign Wide Moving Jams.- 2.4.10 Reproducible and Predictable Congested Patterns.- 2.4.11 Methodology for Empirical Congested Pattern Study.- 2.5 Conclusions Fundamental Empirical Features of Spatiotemporal Congested Patterns.- 3 Overview of Freeway Traffic Theories and Models: Fundamental Diagram Approach.- 3.1 Introduction: Hypothesis About Theoretical Fundamental Diagram.- 3.2 Achievements of Fundamental Diagram Approach to Traffic Flow Modeling and Theory.- 3.2.1 Conservation of Vehicle Number on Road and Front Velocity.- 3.2.2 The Lighthill-Whitham-Richards Model and Shock Wave Theory.- 3.2.3 Collective Flow Concept and Probability of Passing.- 3.2.4 Scenarios for Moving Jam Emergence.- 3.2.5 Wide Moving Jam Characteristics.- 3.2.6 Flow Rate in Wide Moving Jam Outflow The Line J.- 3.2.7 Metastable States of Free Flow with Respect to Moving Jam Emergence.- 3.3 Drawbacks of Fundamental Diagram Approach in Describing of Spatiotemporal Congested Freeway Patterns.- 3.3.1 Shock Wave Theory.- 3.3.2 Models and Theories of Moving Jam Emergence in Free Flow.- 3.3.3 Models and Theories with Variety of Vehicle and Driver Characteristics.- 3.3.4 Application of Classical Queuing Theories to Freeway Congested Traffic Patterns.- 3.4 Conclusions.- 4 Basis of Three-Phase Traffic Theory.- 4.1 Introduction and Remarks on Three-Phase Traffic Theory.- 4.2 Definition of Traffic Phases in Congested Traffic Based on Empirical Data.- 4.2.1 Objective Criteria for Traffic Phases in Congested Traffic.- 4.2.2 Explanation of Terms "Synchronized Flow" and "Wide Moving Jam".- 4.2.3 Mean Vehicle Trajectories.- 4.2.4 Flow Rate in Synchronized Flow.- 4.2.5 Empirical Line J.- 4.2.6 Propagation of Two Wide Moving Jams.- 4.3 Fundamental Hypothesis of Three-Phase Traffic Theory.- 4.3.1 Three-Phase Traffic Theory as Driver Behavioral Theory.- 4.3.2 Synchronization Distance and Speed Adaptation Effect in Synchronized Flow.- 4.3.3 Random Transformations ("Wandering") Within Synchronized Flow States.- 4.3.4 Dynamic Synchronized Flow States.- 4.4 Empirical Basis of Three-Phase Traffic Theory.- 4.5 Conclusions.- 5 Breakdown Phenomenon (F?S Transition) in Three-Phase Traffic Theory.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Breakdown Phenomenon on Homogeneous Road.- 5.2.1 Speed Breakdown at Limit Point of Free Flow.- 5.2.2 Critical Local Perturbation for Speed Breakdown.- 5.2.3 Probability for Breakdown Phenomenon.- 5.2.4 Threshold Flow Rate and Density, Metastability, and Nucleation Effects.- 5.2.5 Z-Shaped Speed-Density and Passing Probability Characteristics.- 5.2.6 Physics of Breakdown Phenomenon: Competition Between Over-Acceleration and Speed Adaptation.- 5.2.7 Physics of Threshold Point in Free Flow.- 5.2.8 Moving Synchronized Flow Pattern.- 5.3 Breakdown Phenomenon at Freeway Bottlenecks.- 5.3.1 Deterministic Local Perturbation.- 5.3.2 Deterministic F?S Transition.- 5.3.3 Physics of Deterministic Speed Breakdown at Bottleneck.- 5.3.4 Influence of Random Perturbations.- 5.3.5 Z-Characteristic for Speed Breakdown at Bottleneck.- 5.3.6 Physics of Speed Breakdown at Bottleneck.- 5.3.7 Time Delay of Spe