Segregation effect in symmetric cellular automata model for two-lane mixed traffic

Segregation effects commonly exist in granular mixtures with difference in size, shape or density. In mixed traffic flow, slow vehicle and fast vehicle, as two types of particles, have different desired speed. We investigate the segregation along the road in mixed traffic flow by using a symmetric two-lane cellular automata model. A parameter D, which quantifies the degree of segregation, is defined. We study the density dependency of the parameter at different randomization probability. Simulation results show that segregation is more obviously in free flow region. We argue that the overtaking maneuvers have similar effect as percolation in granular flow. Copyright EDP Sciences/Società Italiana di Fisica/Springer-Verlag 2006