An anisotropic continuum model and its calibration with an improved monkey algorithm

This study proposes an anisotropic continuum model derived from a simplified Helly's model. Its admissibility of a wide cluster solution is then analyzed by the nonlinear weak solution theory. After that, it is calibrated by a monkey algorithm with dynamic adaptation (DAMA) under two cases, and it is concluded that (1) DAMA makes the performance index and model parameters converge to their optimal values in limited iterations; (2) this calibrated model well reproduces the traffic congestions originating from a rubberneck effect within US101 site, besides of those propagated from the downstream boundary; (3) this proposed model with relations of Del Castillo and Benitez, or Greedshields gets better calibration and validation results; (4) the performance index is more sensitive to density-related parameters than to speed-related parameters. In summary, this anisotropic model calibrated by DAMA can well reproduce real traffic waves, and DAMA is a promising algorithm for the higher-order model calibration.