Macroscopic simulation model for freeway traffic with jams and stop-start waves

A macroscopic freeway model of traffic flow which can be used for simulation of freeway traffic under heavy traffic conditions is presented. The model considers essentially two different reactions of car following behavior: relaxation to a static speed-density relation (empirical fundamental diagram) and anticipation of traffic conditions downstream. The model can describe shock-wave formation, spreading of stop-start waves, bistability, and irregularities due to nonlinearity stochastics. The computation effort for the macroscopic model is described as well as the necessary storage capacity. As an application of the program, a simulation procedure for the design of traffic control systems is presented.