A macro traffic flow model accounting for road capacity and reliability analysis

Based on existing traffic flow models, in this paper we develop a macro traffic flow model taking into consideration road capacity to study the impact of the road capacity on traffic flow. The numerical results show that the road capacity destroys the stability of uniform flow and produces stop-and-go traffic under a moderate density and that the road capacity enhances the traffic risk coefficient and reduces the traffic system’s reliability. In addition, the numerical results show that properly improving the road condition can enhance the road capacity, reduce the traffic risk coefficient and enhance the traffic system’s reliability. •A macro traffic flow model with consideration of road capacity has been developed.•The road capacity has effects on the risk coefficient and the system’s reliability.•The results have displayed the effects of the road capacity on traffic flow very well.