A discrete flow simulation model for urban road networks, with application to combined car and single-file bicycle traffic

Abstract

A model, discrete in terms of time, geometrical space and velocity, is defined for a mix of car and bicycle traffic. Although based on cellular automata (CA) and interchangeable with a CA model in some special cases, the spatial aspect of the model presented here includes some characteristics that set it apart from CA models, such as overlapping cells and extended stochasticity. These characteristics allow easy incorporation of a variety of network elements into a spatial network model. The behaviour model includes rules for movement along stretches of road, as well as rules of behaviour at decision and conflict points on the road. Agent based simulations are run for three simple scenarios and results of these simulations are presented. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.