Eur. Phys. J. B 52, 427-431 (2006)
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjb/e2006-00300-1

How human drivers control their vehicle

Institute of Transport Research, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Rutherfordstrasse 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany

Corresponding author: ^a peter.wagner@dlr.de

Received: 12 January 2006
Revised: 17 March 2006
Published online: 31 July 2006

Abstract

The data presented here show that human drivers apply a discrete noisy control mechanism to drive their vehicle. A car-following model built on these observations, together with some physical limitations (crash-freeness, acceleration), lead to non-Gaussian probability distributions in the speed difference and distance which are in good agreement with empirical data. All model parameters have a clear physical meaning and can be measured. Despite its apparent complexity, this model is simple to understand and might serve as a starting point to develop even quantitatively correct models.