Construction of DEM-base Traffic Model Using Optimal Velocity Model

Abstract

An environment is needed in which traffic can move smoothly, and traffic flow analysis is important in creating such an environment. Such analysis generally uses a micro-type traffic model. The micro model depicts an object (a car, a human, etc.) as a particle, and tracks the individual particles’ behavior. However, this has been difficult because the objects exhibit complex behavior. Because the objects act with the individual resolves. In this study, a Distinct Element Method (DEM)-base traffic model is constructed to aim the micro model depicting behavior characteristics in detail. DEM takes into account continuity and has received attention in the fields of micromeritics and terramechanics. In addition, the traffic model uses the Optimal Velocity (OV) model. The OV model is a method that calculates the optimal velocity from interparticle distance and accelerates or decelerates the particle. To validate the traffic model, experiment and simulation avoiding obstacles are carried out and the results are compared. As a result, the simulation showed similar behavior and velocity distribution to the experiment. Therefore, the effectiveness of the constructed traffic model could be confirmed.