Haruka IDA

A micro-traffic simulation on multi-lane roads during snowfall

Teppei KATO

�@In recent years, extreme snowfall has been increasing, leading to a rise in traffic accidents and vehicle congestion. Snow accumulation often causes poor visibility and road surface freezing, especially on multi-lane roads. On such roads, vehicles can get stuck, and lane changes by other vehicles can worsen the overall congestion.
�@The mechanism of vehicle stagnation involves the impact of a single vehicle's stall or accident, which can affect following vehicles, eventually leading to the blockage of all lanes. While previous research has mainly focused on assessing the risks of single-vehicle stalls, there has been a lack of studies specifically addressing congestion on multi-lane roads during snowfall events.
�@This study aims to develop a microscopic traffic simulation to analyze changes in vehicle behavior during snowfall and gain a deeper understanding of the congestion mechanisms. The simulation examines how stalled vehicles and accidents on the travel lanes influence lane changes by following vehicles. It also explores how factors such as vehicle speed, following distance, and lane-changing behavior contribute to the onset of congestion.
�@The results indicate that snowfall causes a reduction in vehicle speed, leading to a skewed distribution of speeds, which in turn increases the risk of congestion. As snowfall accumulates, vehicle mobility continues to decline, further elevating the stagnation risk. This research provides valuable insights for developing strategies and policies aimed at mitigating vehicle congestion on multi-lane roads during snow events