Abstract
In the first part a description is given of the research project "traffic flow models" of the Dutch road safety research institute SWOV in the form of a schematic performance of the traffic process. Thereafter the aim and motivation of the project is discussed in relation to the other basic research projects of the institute. Initially a literature study was made. The limitations and the classification of the literature review are indicated. For abstracts of parts 2, 3 and 4 see IRRD abstracts nos 240607-240609.