Implementation of the LMRS (Lane change Model with Relaxation and Synchronization). This is extended by:
Tag-along behavior at low speed during synchronization, which prevents the driver from being overtaken as
it waits for an acceptable gap. This occurs as the follower in the target lane starts accelerating before the
potential lane changer does. As a result, the potential lane changer is overtaken. This process may occur
sequentially letting the potential lane changer make small jumps and reaching standstill for every new leader. This
significantly disturbs the acceleration process and thus queue discharge.
Active gap selection, taking care of not stopping for synchronization upstream of the location where one
can actually merge, and accounting for speed differences with the target lane. The result is synchronization by
following a sensible leader in the target lane, rather than simply the direct leader in the target lane. A driver may
also decide to reduce acceleration to get behind the follower in the target lane. If synchronization is determined to
be impossible, the driver decelerates. Furthermore, speeds may be reduced to allow time for further lane changes.
Courtesy lane changes, where the level of lane change desire of drivers in adjacent lanes towards the
current lane, results in an additional lane change incentive towards the other adjacent lane. A factor
p is
applied to the lane change desire of the adjacent leader. Further leaders are considered less. The opposite is also
applied. Leaders on the second lane to either direction that have desire to change to the first lane in that
direction, result in a negative courtesy desire. I.e. leave adjacent lane open for a leader on the second lane.
Gap-creation is changed by letting drivers reduce speed for any adjacent leader within a given distance,
rather than only the direct leader. Furthermore, gaps are also created during lane changes, also for the adjacent
lane of the target lane.
See Schakel, W.J., Knoop, V.L., and Van Arem, B. (2012),
LMRS: Integrated Lane Change Model with
Relaxation and Synchronization, Transportation Research Records: Journal of the Transportation Research Board,
No. 2316, pp. 47-57. Note in the official versions of TRB and TRR some errors appeared due to the typesetting of the
papers (not in the preprint provided here). A list of errata for the official versions is found
here.