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Cellular Automaton Models in the Framework of Three-Phase Traffic Theory

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Encyclopedia of Complexity and Systems Science

Glossary

CA models:

Cellular automata (CA) models are a class of microscopic traffic flow models. In the CA models, the time and space are discrete, and the evolution is described by update rules.

First-order phase transition:

In three-phase traffic theory, the F → S and S → J transitions are claimed to be first-order phase transition, in which the flow rate abrupt decreases.

Fundamental diagram:

Fundamental diagram describes the relationship between flow rate and density. In the empirical data, the flow rate and density are usually collected by loop detector and averaged over 1 min. In the simulation on a circular road, usually the global density vs. averaged flow rate is plotted.

Kerner’s three-phase traffic theory:

In Kerner’s three-phase theory, the congested flow has been further classified into synchronized flow (S) and wide moving jam (J). Therefore, there are three phases in traffic flow, i.e., the free flow (F), synchronized flow, and wide moving jam. The usually observed...

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Systems Engineering, College of Management and Economics, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China

    Junfang Tian & Chenqiang Zhu

  2. MOE Key Laboratory for Urban Transportation Complex Systems Theory and Technology, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, China

    Rui Jiang

Authors
  1. Junfang Tian
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  2. Chenqiang Zhu
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  3. Rui Jiang
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Correspondence to Rui Jiang .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Ramtech Ltd., Larkspur, CA, USA

    Robert A. Meyers

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Tian, J., Zhu, C., Jiang, R. (2018). Cellular Automaton Models in the Framework of Three-Phase Traffic Theory. In: Meyers, R. (eds) Encyclopedia of Complexity and Systems Science. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27737-5_670-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27737-5_670-1

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