An Empirical Analysis of Macroscopic Fundamental Diagrams for Sendai Road Networks

The purpose of this paper is to explore the features of the Macroscopic Fundamental Diagram (MFD) for Sendai road networks. In order to achieve this, we used the observed data of 5-minute periods throughout one year (5/1/ 2012–4/30/2013) to draw the MFDs for Sendai road networks. The result of the empirical verification shows the following: (1) the hysteresis loops always form in an MFD on weekdays with good weather, and their formation times correspond to the peak hours of the morning and evening; (2) the shape of the MFD is invariant throughout the year; (3) loops do not form on Sundays (or holidays) when the peak of traffic demand is lower than on weekdays; (4) loops that are larger than those in a typical MFD form when the driving environment is poor; and (5) if the analysis area for drawing the MFD shrinks, then the variation of the MFD expands.