Document 
Eur. Phys. J. B 63, 315-320 (2008)
DOI: 10.1140/epjb/e2008-00078-0
Comparing traffic flow models with different number of "phases"
P. Wagner1 and K. Nagel21 Institute of Transportation Systems German Aerospace Centre, Rutherfordstraße 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany
2 Institute for Land and Sea Transport Systems Technical University Berlin, Salzufer 17-19 Sekr. SG12, 10587 Berlin, Germany
peter.wagner@dlr.de
Received 30 August 2007 / Received in final form 22 January 2007 / Published online 27 February 2008
Abstract
By comparing microscopic traffic flow models with a different number of phases in the
context of a simple scenario, the similarities as well as the differences of
the various traffic flow models can be discussed. It turns out that there is a certain
range of traffic flow conditions, where it is difficult to discern the space-time patterns
produced by the different models. However, there are some other regions in the parameter
space, where clear differences can be detected. Although the results obtained here cannot
directly transformed into a real test with real-world data, they may help to finally define
realistic scenarios which would result in a clear decision about which model describes
reality best.
89.40.Bb - Land transportation.
64.60.Cn - Order-disorder transformations; statistical mechanics of model systems.
47.54.-r - Pattern selection; pattern formation.
© EDP Sciences, Società Italiana di Fisica, Springer-Verlag 2008