A cellular automata-based network model for heterogeneous traffic: Intersections, turns and their connection

Abstract

The pedal bicycle as a means of transport is gaining new popularity in a world of growing environmental and health concerns. Research relating to bicycles is generally in the area of planning and behaviour, however, flow models that include this non-motorised modality have also been defined, especially for developing-world scenarios. This paper describes a cellular-automata based model for mixed bicycle and motorised traffic on city networks where roads are shared through 'positional discipline', as in Dublin and other old city centres. The paper analyses the spatial properties of a particular instance of the model in some detail and presents results that demonstrate them. It also looks at a number of considerations relating to the the model's implementation. © 2012 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.