EMPIRICAL TRAFFIC FLOW MODELING - FLOATING CARS IN URBAN NETWORKS

Deterministic traffic flow models are driven by an external force, the so-called origin-destination matrix. In complex systems with highly v olatile traffic structures, this matrix is extremely difficult or impo ssible to assess. Alternatively, especially equipped cars floating wit h the traffic can act as observers and provide the basis for an empiri cal model by measuring the state of traffic online. The experience of these probe cars, compared with an idealized, predefined state, signal s the emergence of increased traffic densities. By means of empirical laws, the evolution and superposition of these partial flows can be gi ven.