Eur. Phys. J. B 58, 193-196 (2007)
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjb/e2007-00213-5

Metastable states in two-lane traffic flow models with slow-to-start rule

Faculté Polydisciplinaire, Université Chouaib Doukkali, B.P 299, 2400 El Jadida, Morocco and LPMC, Faculté des Sciences, B.P. 20, 2400 El Jadida, Morocco

Corresponding author: ^a najemmoussa@yahoo.fr

Received: 25 November 2006
Revised: 18 April 2007
Published online: 10 August 2007

Abstract

Using computer simulations, we show that metastable states still occur in two-lane traffic models with slow to start rules. However, these metastable states no longer exist in systems where aggressive drivers (which do not look back before changing lanes) are present. Indeed, the presence of only one aggressive driver in the circuit, triggers the breakdown of the high flow states. In these systems, the steady state is unique and its relaxation dynamics should depend on the lane changing probability p_ch and the number of aggressive drivers present in the circuit. It is found also that the relaxation time τ diverges as the form of a power-law: τ∝p_ch^-β, β=1. 89.40.+k