Single-vehicle data of highway traffic: A statistical analysis

In the present paper, single-vehicle data of highway traffic are analyzed i n great detail. By using the single-vehicle data directly, empirical time h eadway distributions and speed-distance relations can be established. Both quantities yield relevant information about the microscopic states. Several fundamental diagrams are also presented, which are based on time-averaged quantities and compared with earlier empirical investigations. In the remai ning part, time-series analyses of the averaged as well as the single-vehic le data are carried out. The results will be used in order to propose objec tive criteria for an identification of the different traffic states, e.g., synchronized traffic. [S1063-651X(99)06712-4].