Simulating vehicular traffic in a network using dynamic routing

Abstract

We present a new numerical code which solves the Lighthill – Whitham model, the classic macroscopic model for vehicular traffic flow, in a network with multi-destinations. We use a high-resolution shock-capturing scheme with approximate Riemann solver to solve the partial differential equations of the Lighthill – Whitham theory. These schemes are very efficient, robust and moreover well adapted to simulations of traffic flows. We develop a theory of dynamic routing including a procedure for traffic flow assignment at junctions which reproduces the correct propagation of irregularities and ensures at the same time conservation of the number of vehicles.