The Physics of Traffic: Empirical Freeway Pattern Features, Engineering Applications, and Theory (Understanding Complex Systems) [Hardcover]

Boris S. Kerner (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 3540207163 | ISBN-13: 978-3540207160 | Publication Date: December 22, 2004 | Edition: 1

The core of ths book presents a theory developed by the author to combine the recent insight into empirical data with mathematical models in freeway traffic research based on dynamical non-linear processes.

Editorial Reviews

Review

From the reviews:

"For the analysis of complex spatiotemporal behaviour of traffic on motorways Kerner’s book severs as an important basis for freeway traffic science that can be valuable for traffic scientists and engineers in solving many tasks in traffic engineering." (Hartmut Keller, tec-Traffic Engineering and Control International Journal of Traffic Management and Transportation Planning 2005, vol. 46, page 72-73)

"I commend Boris Kerner on his pioneering research on a new traffic theory... [This] is the first book I have read that offers detailed discussions about traffic congestion on freeways." --Henry Lieu, in Physics Today, November 2005

"Key topic of the book is the description of empirical spatiotemporal behaviour of traffic based on the Kerner’s three-phase traffic theory. The content of the book is based on research work, which Kerner has performed … . The comprehensive bibliography … is impressive whereby they are referred to almost solely as reference numbers in the text. … Kerner’s book serves as an important basis for freeway traffic science that can be valuable for traffic scientists and engineers in solving many tasks in traffic engineering." (Hartmut Keller, tec-Traffic Engineering and Control, Vol. 46 (2), 2005)

"Boris Kerner presents in his book an in-depth and comprehensive presentation of his three-phase theory of freeway traffic flow. … It might well mark a milestone in the long-lasting discussion on modeling of freeway traffic flow. … The book is didactically very well written, it guides the reader through the material by providing figurative descriptions whenever possible before diving into mathematics. Every chapter starts and ends with summaries … ." (Peter Vortisch, IEEE Vehicular Technology Magazine, June, 2006)

From the Back Cover

This book is devoted to the explanation of freeway traffic congestion, a fact of life for many car drivers. Results of empirical observations of freeway congestion, which exhibit diverse complex spatiotemporal patterns including moving traffic jams, are analyzed. Empirical features of these reproducible freeway traffic patterns only recently sufficiently well understood are reviewed. In the first part, three-phase traffic theory can be found, which is the basis for a physical theory of traffic phenomena and its applications in engineering. In the second part, the empirical spatiotemporal patterns are examined and, finally in parts III and IV, the mathematical model and the engineering applications are addressed. The Physics of Traffic addresses researchers and practitioners alike.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 706 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 1 edition (December 22, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3540207163
• ISBN-13: 978-3540207160
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,476,026 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars very partcular topic, May 6, 2009

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C. Tenreiro Leiva "book lover" (Chile and South Korea) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Physics of Traffic: Empirical Freeway Pattern Features, Engineering Applications, and Theory (Understanding Complex Systems) (Hardcover)

I found this book very good for just ONE particular type of Traffic and not very general as it could be deduced from the title. Very good for highways but nothing else, even is quite limited from the Complex System analysis. Very good if that is your main interest (freeways) but take care if you are interested in more complex situations of traffic with more constraints and boundary conditions, like traffic lights, crossing roads and so on.