The traffic phases of road networks

We study the relation between the average traffic flow and the vehicle density on road networks that we call 2D-traffic fundamental diagram. We show that this diagram presents mainly four phases. We analyze different cases. First, the case of a junction managed with a priority rule is presented, four traffic phases are identified and described, and a good analytic approximation of the fundamental diagram is obtained by computing a generalized eigenvalue of the dynamics of the system. Then, the model is extended to the case of two junctions, and finally to a regular city. The system still presents mainly four phases. The role of a critical circuit of non-priority roads appears clearly in the two junctions case. In 'Traffic control', we use traffic light controls to improve the traffic diagram. We present the improvements obtained by open-loop, local feedback, and global feedback strategies. A comparison based on the response times to reach the stationary regime is also given. Finally, we show the importance of the design of the junction. It appears that if the junction is enough large, the traffic is almost not slowed down by the junction.

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Additional Info

Field Value
Source ISSN: 0968-090X
Author Farhi, Nadir, Goursat, Maurice, Quadrat, Jean Pierre
Maintainer CCSD
Last Updated May 9, 2026, 19:31 (UTC)
Created May 9, 2026, 19:31 (UTC)
Identifier hal-00860175
Language en
Rights https://about.hal.science/hal-authorisation-v1/
contributor Génie des Réseaux de Transport Terrestres et Informatique Avancée (IFSTTAR/GRETTIA) ; Institut Français des Sciences et Technologies des Transports, de l'Aménagement et des Réseaux (IFSTTAR)
creator Farhi, Nadir
date 2011-01-01T00:00:00
harvest_object_id 1c70351b-b5f3-4a23-b47a-3a35f34dae1d
harvest_source_id 3374d638-d20b-4672-ba96-a23232d55657
harvest_source_title test moissonnage SELUNE
metadata_modified 2025-02-26T00:00:00
relation info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/doi/10.1016/j.trc.2010.03.011
set_spec type:ART