Traffic flow models are used for different purposes, for example to estimate potential changes in road capacity or in quality of flow. The paper gives a short introduction to traffic flow models and describes one microscopic car following model. The basic requirement for modelling real-life processes correctly is to have enough empirical knowledge about these processes. The need for empirical data in the different processes of model development ey on earlier empirical studies is followed by a presentation of a new measuring technique. The resulting empirical data is shown to be used for the calibration of the presented microscopic car following model. The model is validated subsequently at a macroscopic level. subsequently at a macroscopic level. A theoretical discussion about the need for empirical data and the presentation of a practical application of a car following model are the aim of the paper. (A)
Abstract