Particle hopping models and traffic flow theory

Abstract

This paper shows how particle hopping models fit into the context of traffic flow theory, that is, it shows connections between fluid-dynamical traffic flow models, which derive from the Navier-Stokes equations, and particle hopping models. In some cases, these connections are exact and have long been established, but have never been viewed in the context of traffic theory. In other cases, critical behavior of traffic jam clusters can be compared to instabilities in the partial differential equations. Finally, it is shown how all this leads to a consistent picture of traffic jam dynamics. In consequence, this paper starts building a foundation of a comprehensive dynamic traffic theory, where strengths and weaknesses of different models (fluid-dynamical, car-following, particle hopping) can be compared, and thus allowing to systematically chose the appropriate model for a given question.