Linear dynamic car-following model

Car-following model describes traffic flow along highway in the microscopic level. It uses mathematical equations to describe the behavior between a leading vehicle and its follower. Most of the car-following models in literature are based on a series of models developed by General Motor Corporation. This study proposed a new model to formulate the car-following behavior. The leading and following vehicles are transformed into a mechanical system, which is composed of two masses connecting with a spring and damper. The proposed car-following model is formulated as a linear dynamical system. The adjustment process of gap between the leading and following vehicles and their speeds can be described by analyzing the dynamics of the corresponding mechanical system. A series of simulations were performed to test the behavior of proposed model under different circumstances.