1.

Relationships between speed, flow and concentration

Given the following observations of space mean speed (u) and
concentration (k) for a certain length of road:
Dataset Speed u (km/ hr) Concentration k (vo /km)
1 71 13
2 62 22
3 41 45
4 13 96
5 22 75
6 31 58
7 49 33

1.1 Make a graph which shows these observations. Use concentration on x-axis
and speed on. y-axis
The different traffic flow elements relationship models is drawn as follows by using Excel
application.
A, Linear relationship
This relationship relates the speed and the concentration as a linear function (y=ax+b). Using the
dataset the equation is developed as follows:
y = -0.698x+75.4
 80
Speed-density relationship
70
f(x) = − 0.698235613463627 x + 75.3995114006515
60 R² = 0.968441425920676

50
Speed (u)

40

30

20

10

0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Concentration (k)

B, Logarithmic relationship
The logarithmic relationship also developed from the given dataset in the form of y = a*lnx+b,
this is shown below. The equation which relates speed and density in logarithmic form for the
given data is, y = -29.71ln(x) + 151.20

Speed-density relationship
80
70 f(x) = − 29.6291663155511 ln(x) + 150.919729780541
R² = 0.984196085912463
60
50
Speed (u)

40
30
20
10
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Concentration (k)
 C, Exponential relationship
The relationship between speed and concentration as an exponential function is shown below
using Excel application.
The equation which can express the relation is y = 96.857e−0.02 x .

Speed-density relationship
80

70 f(x) = 96.8572072066552 exp( − 0.0202557864930297 x )

R² = 0.994572493713245
60

50
Speed (u)

40

30

20

10

0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Concentration (k)

Square of the estimated correlation coefficient R2 values

The R2 values calculated for the linear, logarithmic and exponential relationship are 0.968, 0.992
and 0.994 respectively. When the value of the R2 closer to 1, the better the regression fits. Which
means that the given traffic data is best expressed by the underwood model.

2.1 Transform these formulas to show the models of Green shields,

Greenberg and Underwood model. Find um, uf, km, kj (if possible).

Green shields Model

In this model a linear relationship existed between speed and density which can be expressed by
the equation,
 uf
u s=u f− k y = ax + b
kj
The equation obtained above from the dataset is transformed into Green shields model equation
by equating similar terms.

Equation from dataset

y = -0.698x+75.4

us = y

u f = 75.4………………………………………. Answer

uf
=0.698
kj

75.4
kj= =107.99 veh/km ...................................Answer
0.698
The given dataset is represented by the equation u s =75 . 4−0 .698 k .
Greenberg Model

This model used the analogy of fluid flow to develop macroscopic relationships for traffic flow
which can be expressed as follows.

kj
u s = umln y = a*lnx+b
k
To transform the above two equations one to another the first equation can be rewritten as
follows: u s = umlnkj – umln k

Therefore, us = y

umlnkj = b

um = -a

ln k = lnx
The equation we have developed from the given data as a logarithmic relationship
y = -29.71 ln(x) + 151.2

∴um= 29.71,

umlnkj = 151.2
Solving for kj, kj = 162.3veh/km.

kj 162.3
Then,u s = umln u s=29.71 ln
k k
Underwood Model

This model hypothesized an exponential relationship between density and speed. The underwood
model is given as

−k
u s = uf e km y = a*e bx
The equation obtained from the dataset is y = 96.857e−0.02 x . Transforming this equation into the
above Underwood model equation,

−1
u s = y, uf =a , =b , k=x
km

−1
Therefore,uf =96.857, = -0.02, km=50 veh/km ,
km

u s = 96.857 e−0.02 k

2.2. Determine formulas for k=k(u), q=q(u) and q=q(k) for all the three
relationships. Calculate the derivate of q with respect to u and k respectively
(dq/du and dq/dk) to find um, km and qm.
Green shields Model

uf
The formula which relates the speed as a function of density is u s=u f− k.
kj

Flow Vs Density
 q
Since, q = u s *k, substitute k for u s to find a relationship of the flow as a function of density
(q=q (k)). After simplifying, flow is expressed as density as follows

uf 2
q=u fk − k
kj
Differentiating q with respect to k, we obtain

dq uf
= uf – 2k
dk kj
For maximum flow,

dq
=0
dk

uf
uf = kj
uf
=ko
kj
Thus, at the maximum flow, the density ko is half the jam density.
Density Vs Speed
uf
Rearranging the equation u s=u f− k and solving for k
kj

kj
k =kj− us
uf
Flow Vs Speed
q uf
Since k = , substituting this value in the equation u s=u f− k and solving for q, it becomes
us kj
kj 2
q=u s kj− us
uf

Differentiating q with respect to u s we obtain,

dq kj
= kj – 2u s
dus uf

Greenberg Model
 kj
The traffic flow relationship developed by Greenberg is expressed as u s = umln
k
. From this
equation the relationship of each of the parameters of traffic flow are developed below.
Flow Vs Density
Multiplying the above equation by k we get

kj
u s k = umkln
k

kj
q = umkln
k
Density Vs Speed
kj
Rearranging the equation u s = umln to solve for k we can get,
k
us
us kj e u m k= kj
um
= ln k
= us
um
e
Flow Vs Speed

q kj
Substituting for k in the equation u s = umln we get,
us k

kj
q=u s us
e um

Underwood (1961)
−k
The relationship between speed and density in this model is expressed as u s= uf e km , the rest of
the relations among traffic flow parameter will be developed from this equation.

Flow Vs Density
q
Substituting in place of u s, we get
k

q −k −k
= uf e km , rearranging and solving for flow, q, we can get q = ufk e km .
k

Differentiating q with respect to k

dq −k −k −k
= uf [e km – e ]
dk km

Density Vs Speed
−k
To get the relationship between the two parameters solve the equation u s = uf e km for k.

Dividing both sides by uf and taking the natural logarithmic of each side we get

us −k
ln = ln e km
uf

u s −k us
ln = , thenk =−km ln
uf km uf
Flow Vs Speed
q −k
To get the relation between these two substitute k = into u s= uf e km . Then take the natural
us
logarithmic both sides

us
ln = ln e−¿ ¿¿ ¿
uf

us
ln =−¿ ¿
uf
After rearranging and solving for q we get,

us
q=−u s kmln
uf
Differentiating q with respect to u s ,

dq us
= −km(1+ ln )
dus uf
3, Consolidated data collected from speed and delay studies by floating car method
on stretch of urban road of length 3.5 km, running north-south are given below.
Determine the average values of
i. volume

ii. Journey speed and

iii. Running speed of the traffic stream along each direction.

Solution
/ Mean value of journey time, stopped delay, no. of vehicles overtaking, overtaken
and in opposite direction for North south and south north directions are obtained
from table mean value of speed and delay data below.
a) N- S direction
 ny - average no. of vehicles overtaking minus over taken
= 3.5 – 5 = -1.5
 na- average no. of vehicles during trips in opposite directions ( for S- N trips) =179
 tw- average journey time with the stream , q = 6 min 30sec = 6.5 min
 ta- average journey time during trips against the stream(S-N trips) = 7 min 36sec = 7.6 min
 Average volume, q = (ny + na)/ ( tw + ta) = (179 – 1.5 )/( 7.6+ 6.5) = 12.59 veh/min
 Average journey time, t = tw - ny/q = 6.5 – (-1.5/12.59) = 6.62 min
 Average journey speed = 3.5/ 6.62 km/min = 3.5 *60/6.62 = 31.7 kmph
 Average stopped delay = 1.5 min
 Average running time = Average journey time - average stopped delay
= 6.62 – 1.50 = 5.12 min
 Average running speed = 3.5 *60/5.12 = 41.0 kmph
b) S- N direction
 ny = 3– 2 = 1
 tw = 7.6 min
 ta = 6.5 min