The hysteretic Aw–Rascle–Zhang model

Abstract

AbstractA novel hyperbolic system of partial differential equations is introduced to model traffic flows. This system comprises three equations, with two being linearly degenerate; its main feature is the inclusion of a hysteretic term in a generalized Aw–Rascle–Zhang (ARZ) model. First, a maximum principle for the diffusive version of the model is proven. Then, it is demonstrated that a solution to the Riemann problem exists, which is unique among solutions that are monotone in velocity; all waves exploited in the construction have suitable viscous profiles. Through several examples it is shown how, as a consequence of different driving habits, the system can model the decay, emergence, or persistence of stop‐and‐go waves (a feature that is missing in the ARZ model), and such behavior is characterized by a simple geometric condition. Furthermore, the model allows the study of traffic flows with a mixture of drivers whose hysteresis loops are either clockwise or counterclockwise. In particular, the presence of sufficiently many of the former dampens speed oscillations.