Macroscopic dynamics of multilane traffic.

We present a macroscopic model of mixed multilane freeway traffic that can be easily calibrated to empirical traffic data, as is shown for Dutch highway data. The model is derived from a gas-kinetic level of description, including effects of vehicular space requirements and velocity correlations between successive vehicles. We also give a derivation of the lane-changing rates. The resulting dynamic velocity equations contain nonlocal and anisotropic interaction terms which allow a robust and efficient numerical simulation of multilane traffic. As demonstrated by various examples, this facilitates the investigation of synchronization patterns among lanes and effects of on ramps, off ramps, lane closures, or accidents.