Travel Time Reliability in Stochastic Kinematic Flow Models

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Hammerl, Alexander, Seshadri, Ravi, Rasmussen, Thomas Kjær, Nielsen, Otto Anker
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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_version_ 1866908504912035840
author Hammerl, Alexander
Seshadri, Ravi
Rasmussen, Thomas Kjær
Nielsen, Otto Anker
author_facet Hammerl, Alexander
Seshadri, Ravi
Rasmussen, Thomas Kjær
Nielsen, Otto Anker
contents This paper analyzes the time-dependent relationship between the mean and variance of travel time on a single corridor under rush hour like congestion patterns. To model this phenomenon, we apply the LWR ((Lighthill & Whitham, 1955), (Richards, 1956)) theory on a homogenous freeway with a discontinuous bottleneck at its downstream end, assuming a uni-modal demand profile with a stochastic peak. We establish conditions for typical counterclockwise hysteresis loops under these assumptions. It is demonstrated that shapes of the fundamental diagram which always produce a counterclockwise loop can be interpreted as an indication of aggressive driving behavior, while deviations may occur under defensive driving. This classification enables a detailed explanation of the qualitative physical mechanisms behind this pattern, as well as an analysis of the causes for quantitatively limited deviations. Some of the mathematical properties of the LWR model identified in our analysis have not yet been addressed in the literature and we critically examine the extent to which these reflect actual traffic flow behavior. Our considerations are supported by numerical experiments. The obtained results aim to improve the fundamental understanding of the physical causes of this hysteresis pattern and to facilitate its better estimation in traffic planning and control.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2502_17359
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Travel Time Reliability in Stochastic Kinematic Flow Models
Hammerl, Alexander
Seshadri, Ravi
Rasmussen, Thomas Kjær
Nielsen, Otto Anker
Physics and Society
Mathematical Physics
This paper analyzes the time-dependent relationship between the mean and variance of travel time on a single corridor under rush hour like congestion patterns. To model this phenomenon, we apply the LWR ((Lighthill & Whitham, 1955), (Richards, 1956)) theory on a homogenous freeway with a discontinuous bottleneck at its downstream end, assuming a uni-modal demand profile with a stochastic peak. We establish conditions for typical counterclockwise hysteresis loops under these assumptions. It is demonstrated that shapes of the fundamental diagram which always produce a counterclockwise loop can be interpreted as an indication of aggressive driving behavior, while deviations may occur under defensive driving. This classification enables a detailed explanation of the qualitative physical mechanisms behind this pattern, as well as an analysis of the causes for quantitatively limited deviations. Some of the mathematical properties of the LWR model identified in our analysis have not yet been addressed in the literature and we critically examine the extent to which these reflect actual traffic flow behavior. Our considerations are supported by numerical experiments. The obtained results aim to improve the fundamental understanding of the physical causes of this hysteresis pattern and to facilitate its better estimation in traffic planning and control.
title Travel Time Reliability in Stochastic Kinematic Flow Models
topic Physics and Society
Mathematical Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2502.17359