Influence of density fluctuation on the stability of single-lane traffic flow by cellular automata

Cellular automata (CA) models have been applied to simulate complex traffic systems. Various models are developed to understand single-lane traffic, multilane traffic and lane-changing behavior. To realize dynamic traffic management, a rapid and robust traffic CA procedure is necessary. Generally, traffic CA models are proposed based on NaSch model, which is proposed by Nagel and Schreckenberg and is named after their abbreviations of names. The model is a four-step procedure. In this study, sensitivity of single-lane traffic flow is examined by NaSch model. According to the results, sensitivity decreases with density increases. The transient sensitivity is larger than steady-state sensitivity in the increasing profile; hence, transient simulation is still necessary. The transient sensitivity is equal to steady-state sensitivity in the decreasing profile. Although the sensitivity varies with density, the trend is stable and predictable.