Spatial–temporal patterns at an isolated on-ramp in a new cellular automata model based on three-phase traffic theory

This paper studies the spatial–temporal patterns at an isolated on-ramp using a new cellular automata model based on three-phase traffic theory. The model may describe the synchronized flow quite satisfactorily (Jiang and Wu 2003 J. Phys. A: Math. Gen. 36 381). The simulations show that six different regions may be classified in the new model induced by an isolated on-ramp. The spacetime plots of the patterns as well as the metastability are investigated. Comparison with the empirical data is made and the qualitative similarity is pointed out. The future work of extension from single-lane simulation to the multi-lane case is pointed out.