The effect of Headway Variation Tendency on traffic flow: Modeling and stabilization

Abstract

Advanced communications technology enables us to obtain the Headway Variation Tendency (HVT) of the next moment in a car following scenario. To maximize the benefits of the new technology, we developed a new traffic flow model that takes into consideration the effect of HVT. First, linear analysis method is used to derive the linear stability condition, that determines whether the HVT can improve traffic system stability. Then, using the reductive perturbation method, a modified KdV (mKdV) equation is obtained and the kink–antikink solutions are derived. The phase diagram of driver sensitivity against equilibrium headway is also plotted by using the neutral stability line, derived from linear analysis and the coexisting line, derived from nonlinear analysis. This diagram demonstrates that HVT does have the ability to improve the stability of traffic stream. Finally, the effect of HVT is validated through numerical simulations, where it is evident that the information of HVT can smooth the traffic stream and prevent the formation of traffic congestion.