Numerical Analysis of Freeway Traffic Flow Dynamics for Multiclass Drivers

A first-order multiclass model is presented for illustrating freeway traffic dynamics, especially regarding the temporal and spatial variation of both densities and flow rate along freeway segments without the disturbance from ramp flows. The proposed macroscopic model is grounded on the assumption that freeway traffic may consist of multiple classes of drivers who, characterized by their unique speed–density relation, are likely to react differently under the same driving environment. The distribution of various classes of drivers and their differences in responding to perceived driving conditions may contribute significantly to the observed freeway traffic dynamics that remain to be better explained by existing traffic flow theories. The numerical solution and simulation results reported in this study, however, indicate that this proposed first-order multiclass model offers the potential to explore the complex interactions between freeway drivers and their collective impact on traffic flow patterns.