I'm going to play a game, and you can all all play as much or as little as you'd like.
I've decided to do a computer model, purely for fun, and what I'm going to model is traffic. What started me thinking about this was a couple of things- the biggest single one, thinking about the speed at which a wreck cause traffic to back up- it's like a wave moving backwards in the flow of traffic, the traffic being the medium which carries the wave.
Yeah, I'm sure other people have done this professionally and all- but I'm doing this for fun. I can be strange that way.
What this post is going to contain is a statement of what will be modeled, starting assumptions, and what will be discussed in future entries on this subject. You're all welcome to chime in at any point with ideas. I'll do all the coding, these discussions will all be very fundamental, dealing purely with the theoretical nature of traffic.
Ok, here's my outline for the modeling project-
What will be modeled:
I'd like to model a one-directional two-lane highway of set length, with multiple exits and speed zones.
Starting assumptions (=simplifications for the sake of the model):
(1) All cars are the same size and have the same capabilities
(I reserve the right to add a second vehicle class of "trucks" at a later date)
(2) The road is perfectly straight and perfectly level, and the pavement quality does not vary.
(3) Driving conditions are constant over the time period modeled.
(IE: we aren't going to figure in rain or snow or blinding sun)
(4) There are no disruptions from outside the road, nor will we allow for construction, mowing, or other maintenance. (at least, not until we get the basic model down)
What we will discuss in the next posts:
1) The nature of, and rules governing cars
2) The nature of, and rules governing drivers
3) The nature of, and rules governing exits and on-ramps
4) The nature of, and rules governing speed zones
Thoughts, suggestions, or random derisive remarks...?
I've decided to do a computer model, purely for fun, and what I'm going to model is traffic. What started me thinking about this was a couple of things- the biggest single one, thinking about the speed at which a wreck cause traffic to back up- it's like a wave moving backwards in the flow of traffic, the traffic being the medium which carries the wave.
Yeah, I'm sure other people have done this professionally and all- but I'm doing this for fun. I can be strange that way.
What this post is going to contain is a statement of what will be modeled, starting assumptions, and what will be discussed in future entries on this subject. You're all welcome to chime in at any point with ideas. I'll do all the coding, these discussions will all be very fundamental, dealing purely with the theoretical nature of traffic.
Ok, here's my outline for the modeling project-
What will be modeled:
I'd like to model a one-directional two-lane highway of set length, with multiple exits and speed zones.
Starting assumptions (=simplifications for the sake of the model):
(1) All cars are the same size and have the same capabilities
(I reserve the right to add a second vehicle class of "trucks" at a later date)
(2) The road is perfectly straight and perfectly level, and the pavement quality does not vary.
(3) Driving conditions are constant over the time period modeled.
(IE: we aren't going to figure in rain or snow or blinding sun)
(4) There are no disruptions from outside the road, nor will we allow for construction, mowing, or other maintenance. (at least, not until we get the basic model down)
What we will discuss in the next posts:
1) The nature of, and rules governing cars
2) The nature of, and rules governing drivers
3) The nature of, and rules governing exits and on-ramps
4) The nature of, and rules governing speed zones
Thoughts, suggestions, or random derisive remarks...?
