A cellular automaton model for freeway traffic

Kai Nagel; Michael Schreckenberg

doi:doi:10.1051/jp1:1992277

DOI: 10.1051/jp1:1992277
J. Phys. I France 2 (1992) 2221-2229

A cellular automaton model for freeway traffic

Kai Nagel¹ and Michael Schreckenberg²

¹ Mathematisches Institut, Universität zu Köln, Weyertal 86-90, W-5000 Köln 41, Germany
² Institut für Theoretische Physik, Universität zu Köln, Zülpicher Str. 77, W-5000 Köln 41, Germany

(Received 3 September 1992, accepted 10 September 1992)

Abstract
We introduce a stochastic discrete automaton model to freeway traffic. Monte-Carlo simulations of the model show a transition from laminar traffic flow to start-stop-waves with increasing vehicle density, as is observed in real freeway traffic. For special cases analytical results can be obtained.