The probability distribution of inter-car spacings

Abstract

In this paper, the celluar automation model with Fukui-Ishibashi-type acceleration rule is used to study the inter-car spacing distribution for traffic flow. The method used in complex network analysis is applied to study the spacings distribution. By theoretical analysis, we obtain the result that the distribution of inter-car spacings follows power law when vehicle density is low and spacing is not large, while, when the vehicle density is high or the spacing is large, the distribution can be described by exponential distribution. Moreover, the numerical simulations support the theoretical result. © 2009 ICST Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering.