Paper authored by Jeroen P.T. van der Gun, Adam J. Pel and Bart van Arem in 2019.
Journal article published in Transportmetrica B: Transport Dynamics, volume 7(1), pages 834–864 by Taylor & Francis in London, United Kingdom, ISSN 2168-0566.
The link transmission model is a macroscopic network traffic flow simulation tool based on Lighthill-Whitham-Richards theory. While its efficiency and accuracy are superior to the well-known cell transmission model, applications of its current numerical formulations are limited by the inability to apply changes to the fundamental diagrams of links within a simulation and the need to start the simulation with an empty network. We resolve both limitations by developing a methodology for initialising the discrete-time link model with a non-empty initial condition and for computing within-link densities during the simulation, which can then serve as an initial condition for continued simulation with a new fundamental diagram. Since the computation of within-link densities is algebraic, no new numerical errors are introduced. Optional support for multiple commodities, subcritical delays and platoon dispersion, are retained. The resulting model is demonstrated on a motorway corridor network with variable speed limits and dynamic lane management.
Keywords: link transmission model, first-order model, Smulders fundamental diagram, traffic control, environmental conditions.
Citation: Van der Gun, J.P.T., Pel, A.J., Van Arem, B. (2019). The link transmission model with variable fundamental diagrams and initial conditions. Transportmetrica B: Transport Dynamics, vol. 7(1), pp. 834–864. London, United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis. ISSN 2168-0566. doi:10.1080/21680566.2018.1517060