Influential Subpaces of Connected Vehicles in Highway Traffic

This work introduces the novel concept of an influential subspace, with focus on its application to highway traffic containing connected vehicles. In this context, an influential subspace of a connected vehicle is defined as the region of a highway where the connected vehicle has the ability to positively influence the macrostate, i.e. the traffic jam, so as to dissipate it within a specified time interval. Analytical expressions for the influential subspace are derived using the LighthillWhitham-Richards theory of traffic flow. Included results describe the span of the influential subspace for specific traffic flow conditions and pre-specified driving algorithms of the connected vehicles. Lighthill, Herman and Greenshields 2 INFLUENTIAL SUBPACES OF CONNECTED VEHICLES IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC Name: Kshitij Jerath, Vikash V. Gayah, and Sean N. Brennan Affiliation: The Pennsylvania State University Address: 157E Hammond Building, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA Phone: (814) 863-2430 Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]