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Traffic Dynamics: Studies in Car Following

Author

Listed:
  • Robert E. Chandler

    (Research Staff, General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Michigan)

  • Robert Herman

    (Research Staff, General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Michigan)

  • Elliott W. Montroll

    (Research Staff, General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Michigan)

Abstract

The manner in which vehicles follow each other on a highway (without passing) and the propagation disturbances down a line of vehicles has been investigated. Experimental data is presented which indicates that the acceleration at time t of a car which is attempting to follow a leader is proportional to the difference in velocity of the two cars at a time ( t - (Delta)), (Delta) being about 1.5 sec and the proportionality constant being about 0.37 sec -1 . It is shown theoretically that the motion of a long line of vehicles becomes unstable when the product of the lag time and the proportionality constant exceeds one-half. The experimental data implies that driving is done on the verge of instability. A variety of other laws of following is analyzed theoretically.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert E. Chandler & Robert Herman & Elliott W. Montroll, 1958. "Traffic Dynamics: Studies in Car Following," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 6(2), pages 165-184, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:oropre:v:6:y:1958:i:2:p:165-184
    DOI: 10.1287/opre.6.2.165
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