Research on the characteristics of mixed traffic flow based on an improved bicycle model

Abstract

Mixed traffic flow is a main feature of urban traffic in developing countries. Mixed bicycle flow includes human-powered and electric-powered bicycles and plays an important role in this mixed traffic flow. In mixed bicycle flow, cyclist behavior is flexible and variable. Cyclists move arbitrarily in the road and may influence the vehicle flow at intersections. Therefore, we first propose an improved bicycle model that can reproduce the main features of cyclist behavior, such as overtaking and self-protection. Then a simulation model based on the improved bicycle model is proposed to research the characteristics of mixed traffic flow in intersections. The conflict avoidance rules are then applied in the simulation model to eliminate traffic accidents. The simulation results indicate that the improved bicycle model is practical and that the density–velocity diagram of bicycle flow is similar to real traffic data. The existence of bicycle flow decreases vehicle velocity and worsens traffic flow in mixed traffic flow. However, the influence of bicycle flow might disappear at a particular vehicle density.