Multiclass first-order simulation model to explain non-linear traffic phenomena

With the first-order traffic model of Lighthill, Whitham and Richard (LWR), many simple traffic problems can be represented analytically such as a shock formation. However, the LWR model has some deficiencies. For example, among the other things, it fails to replicate interesting non-linear phenomena such as hysteresis and capacity drop as well as the dispersion of traffic platoon when there exists a distribution of desired speeds in heterogeneous traffic. To this end, in this paper, we propose a novel multiclass first-order simulation model based on an approximation of Riemann solver. In the developed model, each vehicle class is only characterized by their desired speeds in a free-flow traffic state where overtaking is allowed. However, when traffic is congested, all vehicle classes must travel at the same congested speed and overtaking is not possible. Numerical results show that the proposed model is not only more accurate and reliable than the existing models but also able to explain non-linear traffic phenomena on freeways.