Macro autonomous traffic flow model with traffic jerk and downstream vehicle information

Abstract

PurposeIn the era of connected and autonomous vehicles, a large amount of surrounding vehicular information can be acquired by the focal vehicle in real time using vehicle-to-vehicle communication technology, such as the core variable of electronic throttle opening angle. Meanwhile, the traffic jerk, such as the non-compliance of drivers and pedestrians, worsens the chaos of the surrounding traffic environment. To reflect the future traffic environment, the authors simultaneously incorporate the electronic throttle (ET) and traffic jerk into the traditional continuum model. The authors derive the stability criterion of the enhanced continuum model via the perturbation method.Design/methodology/approachTo facilitate insight into the propagation and evolution mechanism of traffic jam near the stability condition, the authors use the nonlinear stability analysis method to derive the KdV-Burgers equation of proposed continuum model.FindingsThe new item of ET opening angle and traffic jerk have a positive impact on suppressing traffic congestion and improving road robustness.Originality/valueThe research on autonomous continuum models is rare. This model can better reflect the actual traffic, which can also provide a theoretical reference for the future traffic governance.