Simulation of traffic flows based on the quasi-gasdynamic approach and the cellular automata theory using supercomputers

The purpose of the study is to simulate the dynamics of traffic flows on city road networks as well as to systematize the current state of affairs in this area. The introduction states that the development of intelligent transportation systems as an integral part of modern transportation technologies is coming to the fore. The core of these systems contain adequate mathematical models that allow to simulate traffic as close to reality as possible. The necessity of using supercomputers due to the large amount of calculations is also noted, therefore, the creation of special parallel algorithms is needed. The beginning of the article is devoted to the up-to-date classification of traffic flow models and characterization of each class, including their distinctive features and relevant examples with links. Further, the main focus of the article is shifted towards the development of macroscopic and microscopic models, created by the authors, and determination of the place of these models in the aforementioned classification. The macroscopic model is based on the continuum approach and uses the ideology of quasi-gasdynamic systems of equations. Its advantages are indicated in comparison with existing models of this class. The model is presented both in one-dimensional and two-dimensional versions. The both versions feature the ability to study multi-lane traffic. In the two-dimensional version it is made possible by introduction of the concept of “lateral” velocity, i. e., the speed of changing lanes. The latter version allows for carrying out calculations in the computational domain which corresponds to the actual geometry of the road. The section also presents the test results of modeling vehicle dynamics on a road fragment with the local widening and on a road fragment with traffic lights, including several variants of traffic light regimes. In the first case, the calculations allow to draw interesting conclusions about the impact of a road widening on a road capacity as a whole, and in the second case — to select the optimal regime configuration to obtain the “green wave” effect. The microscopic model is based on the cellular automata theory and the single-lane Nagel – Schreckenberg model and is generalized for the multi-lane case by the authors of the article. The model implements various behavioral strategies of drivers. Test computations for the real transport network section in Moscow city center are presented. To achieve an adequate representation of vehicles moving through the network according to road traffic regulations the authors implemented special algorithms adapted for parallel computing. Test calculations were performed on the K-100 supercomputer installed in the Centre of Collective Usage of KIAM RAS.