A simplified behavioral vehicle longitudinal motion model

Abstract The paper develops a simplified behavioral vehicle longitudinal motion model, which has been incorporated in the INTEGRATION software. The paper also derives the relationship between the four traffic stream parameters (free-flow speed, speed-at-capacity, capacity, and jam density) that ensure the validity of the steady-state model. Using a similar approach, car-following formulations for three other state-of-the-art models (namely, Greenshields, Greenberg, and Pipes models), are developed and compared to the proposed model. Subsequently, a comprehensive longitudinal vehicle motion behavior model encompassing steady-state conditions and two constraints — acceleration and collision avoidance — is developed. Finally, the common drawbacks of state-of-the-art car-following models, how these drawbacks are addressed in the INTEGRATION software, and the practical issues that should be considered in modeling vehicle longitudinal motion are presented.