IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/inm/ortrsc/v42y2008i2p220-235.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A Generic Characterization of Equilibrium Speed-Flow Curves

Author

Listed:
  • Michael Z. F. Li

    (Nanyang Business School, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798)

Abstract

By introducing the concept of speed elasticity of flow and density, this paper provides a generic characterization for a class of well-behaved equilibrium speed-flow curves that are differentiable and backward bending and possess monotone speed-density curves. We start with a comprehensive review on classical models, including Greenberg, Greenshields, and Underwood. A major limitation of these models is that the specification is uniquely determined by three road-specific parameters: the free-flow speed, the capacity flow, and the corresponding speed at the capacity flow, which makes the empirical application difficult due to lack of flexibility. Through a careful review of Del Castillo and Benitez [Del Castillo, J. M., F. G. Benitez. 1995. On the functional form of the speed-density relationship---I: General theory, II: Empirical investigation. Transportation Res. Part B 29 373--406], we have provided a new characterization for the Newell-Frankin model and made a connection between the family of rational generating functions and the Greenshields-type models. Based on three primitive regularity conditions, we derive a generic characterization for well-behaved macroscopic equilibrium speed-flow curves that integrate all classical models. Using the generic characterization, we show that the equilibrium speed-flow curves derived from the car-following models can be classified as a two-parameter extension of the Greenshields-type model. We have also made an attempt in proposing a plausible rectification to the speed-flow models from the Highway Capacity Manual 2000 so that they possess the backward-bending property. A formal linkage between the generic characterization of speed-flow curves and the theory of congestion pricing is also established.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Z. F. Li, 2008. "A Generic Characterization of Equilibrium Speed-Flow Curves," Transportation Science, INFORMS, vol. 42(2), pages 220-235, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:ortrsc:v:42:y:2008:i:2:p:220-235
    DOI: 10.1287/trsc.1070.0201
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/trsc.1070.0201
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1287/trsc.1070.0201?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kai Nagel & Peter Wagner & Richard Woesler, 2003. "Still Flowing: Approaches to Traffic Flow and Traffic Jam Modeling," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 51(5), pages 681-710, October.
    2. Zhang, H. M., 1999. "Analyses of the stability and wave properties of a new continuum traffic theory," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 33(6), pages 399-415, August.
    3. Z.F. Li, Michael, 1999. "Estimating congestion toll by using traffic count data -- Singapore's area licensing scheme," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(1), pages 1-10, March.
    4. Castillo, J. M. Del & Benítez, F. G., 1995. "On the functional form of the speed-density relationship--II: Empirical investigation," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 29(5), pages 391-406, October.
    5. Jochen Einbeck & Gerhard Tutz, 2006. "Modelling beyond regression functions: an application of multimodal regression to speed–flow data," Journal of the Royal Statistical Society Series C, Royal Statistical Society, vol. 55(4), pages 461-475, August.
    6. Newell, G. F., 1993. "A simplified theory of kinematic waves in highway traffic, part III: Multi-destination flows," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 27(4), pages 305-313, August.
    7. Zhang, H. M., 2000. "Structural properties of solutions arising from a nonequilibrium traffic flow theory," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 34(7), pages 583-603, September.
    8. Harold Greenberg, 1959. "An Analysis of Traffic Flow," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 7(1), pages 79-85, February.
    9. Cassidy, Michael J. & Bertini, Robert L., 1999. "Some traffic features at freeway bottlenecks," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 33(1), pages 25-42, February.
    10. Denos C. Gazis & Robert Herman & Renfrey B. Potts, 1959. "Car-Following Theory of Steady-State Traffic Flow," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 7(4), pages 499-505, August.
    11. Yang, Hai & Meng, Qiang & Lee, Der-Horng, 2004. "Trial-and-error implementation of marginal-cost pricing on networks in the absence of demand functions," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 38(6), pages 477-493, July.
    12. Paul I. Richards, 1956. "Shock Waves on the Highway," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 4(1), pages 42-51, February.
    13. Cassidy, Michael J., 1998. "Bivariate relations in nearly stationary highway traffic," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 32(1), pages 49-59, January.
    14. Newell, G. F., 1993. "A simplified theory of kinematic waves in highway traffic, part II: Queueing at freeway bottlenecks," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 27(4), pages 289-303, August.
    15. Denos C. Gazis & Robert Herman & Richard W. Rothery, 1961. "Nonlinear Follow-the-Leader Models of Traffic Flow," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 9(4), pages 545-567, August.
    16. Leslie C. Edie, 1961. "Car-Following and Steady-State Theory for Noncongested Traffic," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 9(1), pages 66-76, February.
    17. Li, Michael Z. F., 2002. "The role of speed-flow relationship in congestion pricing implementation with an application to Singapore," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 36(8), pages 731-754, September.
    18. Zhao, Yong & Kockelman, Kara Maria, 2006. "On-line marginal-cost pricing across networks: Incorporating heterogeneous users and stochastic equilibria," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 40(5), pages 424-435, June.
    19. Castillo, J. M. Del & Benítez, F. G., 1995. "On the functional form of the speed-density relationship--I: General theory," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 29(5), pages 373-389, October.
    20. Newell, G. F., 1993. "A simplified theory of kinematic waves in highway traffic, part I: General theory," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 27(4), pages 281-287, August.
    21. Jin, W. L. & Zhang, H. M., 2003. "The formation and structure of vehicle clusters in the Payne-Whitham traffic flow model," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 37(3), pages 207-223, March.
    22. Cassidy, M. J. & Mauch, Michael, 2001. "An observed traffic pattern in long freeway queues," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 35(2), pages 143-156, February.
    23. G. F. Newell, 1955. "Mathematical Models for Freely-Flowing Highway Traffic," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 3(2), pages 176-186, May.
    24. G. F. Newell, 1961. "Nonlinear Effects in the Dynamics of Car Following," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 9(2), pages 209-229, April.
    25. Kara Kockelman, 2001. "Modeling traffic's flow-density relation: Accommodation of multiple flow regimes and traveler types," Transportation, Springer, vol. 28(4), pages 363-374, November.
    26. Zhang, H. M., 1998. "A theory of nonequilibrium traffic flow," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 32(7), pages 485-498, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Basso, Leonardo J. & Guevara, Cristián Angelo & Gschwender, Antonio & Fuster, Marcelo, 2011. "Congestion pricing, transit subsidies and dedicated bus lanes: Efficient and practical solutions to congestion," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 18(5), pages 676-684, September.
    2. Power, Gabriel J. & Burris, Mark & Vadali, Sharada & Vedenov, Dmitry, 2016. "Valuation of strategic options in public–private partnerships," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 90(C), pages 50-68.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Jin, Wen-Long, 2016. "On the equivalence between continuum and car-following models of traffic flow," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 93(PA), pages 543-559.
    2. Cheng, Qixiu & Liu, Zhiyuan & Lin, Yuqian & Zhou, Xuesong (Simon), 2021. "An s-shaped three-parameter (S3) traffic stream model with consistent car following relationship," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 246-271.
    3. Yan, Qinglong & Sun, Zhe & Gan, Qijian & Jin, Wen-Long, 2018. "Automatic identification of near-stationary traffic states based on the PELT changepoint detection," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 39-54.
    4. Jin, Wen-Long, 2010. "A kinematic wave theory of lane-changing traffic flow," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 44(8-9), pages 1001-1021, September.
    5. Blandin, Sébastien & Argote, Juan & Bayen, Alexandre M. & Work, Daniel B., 2013. "Phase transition model of non-stationary traffic flow: Definition, properties and solution method," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 31-55.
    6. Niek Baer & Richard J. Boucherie & Jan-Kees C. W. van Ommeren, 2019. "Threshold Queueing to Describe the Fundamental Diagram of Uninterrupted Traffic," Transportation Science, INFORMS, vol. 53(2), pages 585-596, March.
    7. Bai, Lu & Wong, S.C. & Xu, Pengpeng & Chow, Andy H.F. & Lam, William H.K., 2021. "Calibration of stochastic link-based fundamental diagram with explicit consideration of speed heterogeneity," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 524-539.
    8. Yin, Ruyang & Zheng, Nan & Liu, Zhiyuan, 2022. "Estimating fundamental diagram for multi-modal signalized urban links with limited probe data," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 606(C).
    9. Jin, Wen-Long, 2017. "A first-order behavioral model of capacity drop," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 105(C), pages 438-457.
    10. Li, Xiaopeng & Ouyang, Yanfeng, 2011. "Characterization of traffic oscillation propagation under nonlinear car-following laws," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 45(9), pages 1346-1361.
    11. Newell, G. F., 2002. "A simplified car-following theory: a lower order model," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 36(3), pages 195-205, March.
    12. Jabari, Saif Eddin & Zheng, Jianfeng & Liu, Henry X., 2014. "A probabilistic stationary speed–density relation based on Newell’s simplified car-following model," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 205-223.
    13. Coifman, Benjamin, 2015. "Empirical flow-density and speed-spacing relationships: Evidence of vehicle length dependency," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 54-65.
    14. Shane Velan & Michael Florian, 2002. "A Note on the Entropy Solutions of the Hydrodynamic Model of Traffic Flow," Transportation Science, INFORMS, vol. 36(4), pages 435-446, November.
    15. Qu, Xiaobo & Zhang, Jin & Wang, Shuaian, 2017. "On the stochastic fundamental diagram for freeway traffic: Model development, analytical properties, validation, and extensive applications," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 256-271.
    16. Xingliang Liu & Jian Wang & Tangzhi Liu & Jin Xu, 2021. "Forecasting Spatiotemporal Boundary of Emergency-Event-Based Traffic Congestion in Expressway Network Considering Highway Node Acceptance Capacity," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-17, November.
    17. Li, Jia & Zhang, H.M., 2013. "The variational formulation of a non-equilibrium traffic flow model: Theory and implications," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 314-325.
    18. Seo, Toru & Kawasaki, Yutaka & Kusakabe, Takahiko & Asakura, Yasuo, 2019. "Fundamental diagram estimation by using trajectories of probe vehicles," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 40-56.
    19. Jin, Wen-Long, 2013. "A multi-commodity Lighthill–Whitham–Richards model of lane-changing traffic flow," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 361-377.
    20. Zhou, Fang & Li, Xiaopeng & Ma, Jiaqi, 2017. "Parsimonious shooting heuristic for trajectory design of connected automated traffic part I: Theoretical analysis with generalized time geography," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 394-420.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:inm:ortrsc:v:42:y:2008:i:2:p:220-235. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Chris Asher (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://edirc.repec.org/data/inforea.html .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.