Analyzing influence of bicycles on traffic flow using microscopic simulation approach

Mixed traffic consisting of cars and bicycles is a typical pattern of urban traffic in China. To study the impact of bicycles on traffic performance, a microscopic simulating model based on the principle of cautious driving and collision free was proposed. The interaction between cars and bicycles were described by lateral friction and overlapping driving. The dynamical features of speed and time-headway were investigated by numerical simulations. The results show that bicycles have a significant impact on travel speed and time-headway. The effect of bicycles can cause different results in the free flow phase and congestion phase respectively. The results also indicate the necessity to mitigate the interaction between motorized vehicles and non-motorized vehicles.