A new macro model with consideration of the traffic interruption probability

In this paper, we present a new macro model which involves the effects that the probability of traffic interruption has on the car-following behavior through formulating the inner relationship between micro and macro variables. Linear stability analysis shows that consideration of the traffic interruption probability can improve the stability of traffic flow if and only if the drivers' reactive time required for adjusting their acceleration based on the traffic interruption probability p is not greater than that one based on the non-interruption probability 1 - p. Numerical results verify that the new model can be used to analyze the effects of traffic interruption probability and traffic interruption on shock, rarefaction wave, small perturbation and uniform flow. The model has been applied in reproducing some complex traffic phenomena resulted by some traffic interruptions (e.g., signal light, pedestrian and tolling station). (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.