R. Jiang, M. B. Hu, H. M. Zhang, Z. Y. Gao, B. Jia, Q. S. Wu, B. Wang and M. Yang (2014) Traffic Experiment Reveals the Nature of Car-Following. Journal/Plos One 9 9. [In English]
Web link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0094351
Keywords: ,PHASE-TRANSITIONS, METASTABLE STATES, CELLULAR-AUTOMATA, SELF-ORGANIZATION, FLOW, MODEL, FEATURES, PARTICLES, BOUNDARY, DIAGRAM

Abstract: As a typical self-driven many-particle system far from equilibrium, traffic flow exhibits diverse fascinating non-equilibrium phenomena, most of which are closely related to traffic flow stability and specifically the growth/dissipation pattern of disturbances. However, the traffic theories have been controversial due to a lack of precise traffic data. We have studied traffic flow from a new perspective by carrying out large-scale car-following experiment on an open road section, which overcomes the intrinsic deficiency of empirical observations. The experiment has shown clearly the nature of car-following, which runs against the traditional traffic flow theory. Simulations show that by removing the fundamental notion in the traditional car-following models and allowing the traffic state to span a two-dimensional region in velocity-spacing plane, the growth pattern of disturbances has changed qualitatively and becomes qualitatively or even quantitatively in consistent with that observed in the experiment.