Resources

Article or Presentation

2004-Mark_McCartney-Using_second-order_ordinary_differential_equations_to_model_traffic_flow

Author(s): Mark McCartney

NA

Keywords: differential equations traffic flow vehicle follow second order

188 total view(s), 71 download(s)

Abstract

Resource Image A simple mathematical model for how vehicles follow each other along a stretch of road is presented. The resulting linear second-order differential equation with constant coefficients is solved and interpreted.

Citation

Researchers should cite this work as follows:

Article Context

Resource Type
Differential Equation Type
Technique
Qualitative Analysis
Application Area
Course
Course Level
Lesson Length
Technology
Approach
Skills

Description

Mark McCartney. 2004. Keep your distance! using second-order ordinary differential equations to model traffic flow. International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology. 35(4): 588-596,

All issues of this journal are FREEly available to members of the Mathematical Association of America at their member portal www.maa.org .

Article Abstract: A  simple  mathematical  model  for  how  vehicles  follow  each  other   along a stretch of road is presented. The resulting linear second-order differential equation with constant coefficients is solved and interpreted. The model can be used as an application of solution techniques taught at first-year undergraduate level and as a motivator to encourage students to think critically about the physical interpretation of the results which such equations produce.

Usually partial differential equations are used to model traffic flow, but this paper uses a set of ordinary differential equations to model the traffic flow. Moreover, the author provides a set of exercises for students.

 

Article Files

Authors

Author(s): Mark McCartney

NA

Comments

Comments

There are no comments on this resource.