Car-following models are the mathematical models that are used to describe the dynamical behaviour of groups of closely-spaced road vehicles that are restricted to travelling in a single lane without overtaking. In previous papers a modified car-following model was introduced that included an additional nonlinear term that described each driver's attempt to match the velocity of the vehicle ahead. This modified model predicts the possibility of chaotic motion for certain parameter values. In order to determine the parameter values appropriate for real traffic a helicopter was used to carry out aerial video filming of traffic. This paper shows how this data is analysed to suggest the most appropriate parameter values for our modified car-following equation.(A) Reprinted with permission from Elsevier. For the covering abstract see ITRD E134766.
Abstract