34.3. Car following models

Try these first

1. 1.

   What is the main purpose of car following models?

   Hint

   Think about safety and traffic management.

2. 2.

   Define distance headway.

   Hint

   It’s like the space you keep between you and the car in front.

3. 3.

   What is the purpose of car following models?

   • To track fuel efficiency
   • To analyze vehicle interactions
   • To calculate travel distance

   Hint

   Consider the main goal of traffic flow models.

4. 4.

   True or False: Pipe's model always ensures safe following distances at low speeds.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Think about its practical limitations.

5. 5.

   If a leader vehicle accelerates from rest at 3 m/s² for 4 seconds, calculate its final velocity and distance traveled. Assuming a following vehicle has an initial distance headway of 50 meters, simulate its behavior using General Motors' model where s=1, m=0, α=10.

   Hint

   Consider the relationship of acceleration and the equations of motion.

6. 6.

   Evaluate how an increase in reaction time would alter the following distance during different driving conditions (low speed vs high speed).

   Hint

   Think about how stopping distances change based on speed and reaction time.