DEVELOPMENT OF AN IMPROVED HIGH-ORDER CONTINUUM TRAFFIC FLOW MODEL

Widespread use of continuum traffic models in practical applications has not been realized since their introduction in the early 1960s and 1970s. This is because some improvements are necessary for wide acceptance of these models, especially in congested and interrupted flow situations. A new high-order formulation capable of describing traffic dynamics under these conditions is introduced and implemented. The formulation does not contain an equilibrium speed-density relationship and therefore requires less calibration effort in field applications. Satisfactory results are obtained when the model is tested using field data representing flows at pipeline freeway and freeway junctions with entrance and exit ramps.