Derivation of continuum traffic model for weaving sections on freeways

This paper presents a new continuum model describing the dynamics of multiclass traffic flow on multilane freeways including weaving sections. In this paper, we consider a specific freeway weaving type, which is formed when an on ramp is near to an off ramp and these two ramps are joined by an auxiliary lane. Traffic interactions in this weaving zone are very complex due to the involvement of weaving flows and non-weaving flows in the so-called mandatory lane-changing process. To handle this complexity, it is essential to have a good understanding of the (microscopic) driving behavior within the weaving zones. These behaviors are modeled based on a gap-acceptance model. The methodology to obtain a weaving continuum traffic model is thus twofold. On the one hand, we develop a (macroscopic) model to determine the mandatory lane-changing probability based on a renewal process. On the other hand, we implement the lane-changing model into a current gas-kinetic traffic flow model for heterogeneous traffic flow on multilane roadways. From this, corresponding macroscopic model is obtained based on the method of moments.