In most predictive models for two-lane road traffic, it is assumed that platoons have no physical dimensions, thus restricting their applicability to light traffic where a platoon cannot be long enough to block the progression of the next one. In this paper a model that can be used for heavy traffic is presented. A queueing theory approach in which vehicles are allowed to have physical dimensions yields the platoon length distribution, the delays to fast vehicles, the headway process and the flow density diagram for both the space and time processes. Unlike in other models, the passing rate is determined from the sight distance characteristics of the road and the opposing traffic flow with an approach similar to the one used for vehicular delays at unsignalized intersections; this improves the predictive capabilities of the model.
Abstract