Abstract:
Theoretical issues related to two phenomena observed in a study of four freeway bottlenecks in San Diego are addressed. It was observed that flow immediately downstream of the bottlenecks decreased by a small amount when it broke down and that flow breakdown appeared to be triggered by speed instability. Most of the flow decrease could be attributed to the increase in vehicle passage time that occurs when speeds decrease, and most of the San Diego data are compatible with the linear car-following model of Chandler et al. as extended by Bexelius, although a number of questions about the validity and applicability of this model remain.
Supplemental Notes:
This paper appears in Transportation Research Record No. 1320, Freeway Operations, Highway Capacity, and Traffic Flow 1991. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved