A Critical Analysis of Multi-Regime Fundamental Equations
Emmanuel Akweittey *
Department of Mathematics, Presbyterian University College, Ghana.
Gabriel O. Fosu
Department of Mathematics, Presbyterian University College, Ghana.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims/ Objectives: Multi-regime fundamental models use two or more equations to describe the association among the main maroscopic traffic variables encountered in traffic analysis. The paper investigates specific properties of some multi-phase speed-density equations.
Methodology: It first compares the characteristics of each of these equations by solving the nonlinear continuity traffic equation.
Results: It was observed that predicting vehicular trajectories with these model equations could lead to misinformation. The kinematic wave and stable shockwave properties of these models were also ascertained.
Conclusion: Based on the results, it was concluded that it would be more cumbersome to explain nonlinear traffic characteristics when these two and three regime models are adopted.
Keywords: Speed-density equation, characteristic curves, multi-regime models, continuity equation.