Abstract:
In this project, second-order macroscopic vehicle traffic flow models are discussed from
the perspective of their capability to reproduce stable and unstable traffic flow behaviors
observed in real traffic. To achieve this goal, a nonlinear traffic flow stability criterion is
derived using a wave front expansion technique. Qualitative relationships between traffic
flow stability and model parameters are derived for an entire class of second-order
macroscopic traffic flow models. The stability criterion is illustrated by numerical results
using the CLAWPACK package for the well-known Payne–Whitham (PW) model. The newly
derived stability results are consistent with previously reported results obtained using
both microscopic models and approximate linearization methods. Moreover, the stability
criteria derived in this project can provide more refined information regarding the
propagation of traffic flow perturbations and shock waves in second order models
