Noise Induced Congested Traffic Flow in Coupled Map Optimal Velocity Model

Abstract

The optimal velocity traffic flow model is one of the car-following models which describe the behavior of cars by differential equations. In that model, each car controls its speed toward an optimal (safety) velocity, which depends only on the headway. We constructed a new car-following type simulation model for traffic flow in a coupled map form based on the optimal velocity model. We can easily simulate open road systems with the model. The emergence of weakly congested flow induced by noise is investigated. We observe the enhancement of the car density induced by noise. The strong traffic jam hardly occurs in open road systems. We discuss the problems of unrealistic acceleration in the optimal velocity model and the possibility of spontaneous formation of strong traffic jams.