An Integrated Approach for Platoon-based Simulation and Its Feasibility Assessment

Abstract

Research on developing mathematical and simulative models to evaluate performance of signalized arterials is still ongoing. In this paper, an integrated model (IM) based on Rakha vehicle dynamics and LWR model is proposed. The IM which imitates actuated performance measurement in signalized arterials is described using continuous timed Petri net with variable speeds (VCPN). This enables systematic discretized description of platoon movement from an upstream signalized intersection towards a downstream signalized intersection. The integration is based on the notion that speed and travel time characteristics in a link can be provided using Rakha model. This will assist the LWR to estimate arrival profiles of vehicles at downstream intersection. One immediate benefit of the model is that platoon arrival profile obtained from the IM can be directly manipulated to estimate queues and delays at the target intersection using input-output analysis without considering the effect of shockwaves. This is less tedious as compared to analysing the LWR model through tracing trajectory of shockwave. Besides, time parameters of a platoon could be estimated for self-scheduling control approach from a cycle to cycle basis. The proposed IM is applied to a test intersection where simulated queues and average delays from the IM are compared with the platoon dispersion model (PDM) implemented in TRANSYT, cell transmission model (CTM) and HCM2000 for both under-saturated and oversaturated situations. The comparisons yielded acceptable and reasonable results, thus ascertained the feasibility and validity of the model.

Platoon Interactions and Real-World Traffic Simulation and Validation Based on the LWR-IM

“…They are essentially important in facilitating efficient performance calculation and evaluation in urban traffic networks. For this purpose, a new platoon-based macroscopic model called the LWR-IM has been developed in [ 1 ]. Preliminary analytical validation conducted previously has proven the feasibility of the model.…”

A comparative study of the LWR-IM traffic model and shockwave analysis

“…The LWR-IM has been proposed by the authors in [8][9]. This model integrates the LWR and Rakha vehicle dynamics model.…”

“…Arrival profile simulated by the LWR-IM could be easily analyzed using the input-output method to simulate performance indices such as queues and delays, which is less tedious compared to analyzing the LWR using Shockwave theory. The detail description of the theoretical fundamentals and the functionalities of the LWR-IM can be referred in [9].…”

“…Recently, a novel traffic model called LWR-IM has been proposed by Ng and Reaz [8][9]. The authors proposed an integrated model that integrates the LWR and Rakha vehicle dynamics model [10].…”

“…The feasibility of the LWR-IM has been validated by real traffic data in [8]. In addition, the feasibility of the LWR-IM was investigated via a comparative validation study of the model with platoon dispersion model (PDM), cell transmission model (CTM) and Highway Capacity Manual 2000 (HCM 2000) [11] in [9].…”