STABILITY OF TRAFFIC CONGESTION PATTERNS AND MACROSCOPIC FUNDAMENTAL DIAGRAMS IN TOKYO METROPOLITAN EXPRESSWAY NETWORK

Abstract

 This study analyzes the dynamic patterns of spatial congestion distribution and the Macroscopic Fundamental Diagrams (MFD) using the long-term observation data in the Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway network. We reveal that there are six typical types of spatial congestion distribution and that there exist regularities in the within-day transition processes among these distribution types throughout the year. In addition, we find that the shapes of the MFDs differ according to the within-day state transition patterns, and a correspondence relation can be observed between each section of the MFD curve and the types of spatial congestion distribution occurring in that section.