adaptive cruise contro avoids jams; Traffic Simulation

Cruise control avoids jams (January 2006) - News - PhysicsWeb

The German researchers carried out computer simulations of traffic -- in which each vehicle is represented by a small particle -- to describe the dynamics of traffic on motorways. Their approach allows them to vary the number of different types of vehicle and driving styles -- such as cars and trucks, and fast and slow drivers. The simulations consider traffic flows that consist mostly of "human" drivers and a small number of "partly automated" ACC cars. The team found that even if just 10% of all cars use ACC then congestion is dramatically eased because "traffic breakdown" -- where cars come to a complete halt as in a traffic jam -- is delayed (see figure). "This is a benefit to drivers because fewer people are affected and the waiting time is smaller thanks to reduced queue lengths," explains Kesting. Moreover, the effect is scaleable so if, say, 20% of cars had ACC, then congestion would be reduced even further.
I was planning on doing similar simulation myself using pygame, as well as testing a "green wave" theory for traffic lights.