Analysis of Congestion Formation and Propagation at Bottleneck Sections Using Traffic Flow Shock Wave Theory: Focusing on Traffic Operation Scenarios and Numerical Simulation

doi:10.15683/kosdi.2026.9.30.831

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2026 Vol.22, Issue 3 Preview Page Next Page

Original Article

Analysis of Congestion Formation and Propagation at Bottleneck Sections Using Traffic Flow Shock Wave Theory: Focusing on Traffic Operation Scenarios and Numerical Simulation 교통류 충격파 이론을 활용한 병목구간 정체 형성 및 전파 분석: 교통운영 시나리오와 수치 시뮬레이션을 중심으로: 성제민¹ㆍ윤병조²*
Je Min Seong¹, Byoung Jo Yoon²*; ¹Doctoral Student, College of Urban Science, Incheon National University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
²Professor, College of Urban Science, Incheon National University, Incheon, Republic of Korea

30 September 2026. pp. 831-841

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Abstract

Purpose:This study analyzes congestion formation and upstream propagation at a bottleneck using traffic flow shock wave theory and compares bottleneck discharge-flow improvement with inflow control. Methods:A triangular flow-density diagram was defined using a free-flow speed of 60km/h, a jam density of 135veh/km, and a congested-branch slope of −20km/h. Three controlled scenarios were evaluated through shock wave calculation, sensitivity analysis, and deterministic queue simulation. Results:Shock wave speeds were −15.0, −13.3, and −9.2km/h. Compared with the basic condition, the absolute speeds decreased by 11.1% and 38.5%. Maximum queue lengths were 7.5, 6.7, and 4.6km, while total delays were 450, 150, and 225veh·h. Inflow control reduced spatial propagation most, whereas bottleneck discharge-flow improvement produced the greatest reduction in total delay. Conclusions: Shock wave speed represents queue-tail propagation rather than total congestion and should be interpreted with delay, queue length, congestion duration, and throughput.

Keywords

Shock Wave Theory

Traffic Congestion

Bottleneck

Queue Propagation

Inflow Control

Numerical Simulation

연구목적: 본 연구는 교통류 충격파 이론을 활용하여 병목구간의 정체 형성과 상류부 전파를 분석하고, 병목 방출교통량 개선과 유입교통량 조절의 효과를 비교하였다. 연구방법: 자유류 속도 60km/h, 정체밀도 135veh/km 및 혼잡류 분지 기울기 −20km/h의 삼각형 기본도를 설정하였다. 세 가지 통제 시나리오에 대해 충격파 속도, 민감도 및 결정론적 대기행렬을 분석하였다. 연구결과: 충격파 속도는 기본상태 −15.0km/h, 병목 방출교통량 개선상태 −13.3km/h, 유입교통량 조절상태 −9.2km/h로 산정되었다. 기본상태 대비 충격파 속도 절대값은 각각 11.1%와 38.5% 감소하였다. 최대 공간적 대기행렬 길이는 각각 7.5, 6.7, 4.6km, 총지체는 450, 150, 225veh·h로 나타났다. 가정된 조건에서 유입교통량 조절은 공간적 확산 억제에, 병목 방출교통량 개선은 총지체 감소에 상대적으로 효과적이었다. 결론: 충격파 속도는 혼잡 총량이 아닌 정체 후미의 공간적 전파 특성을 나타내므로, 지체, 대기행렬, 정체 지속시간 및 통과교통량과 함께 해석하는 보조적 진단지표로 활용해야 한다.

키워드

충격파 이론

교통혼잡

병목구간

대기행렬 전파

유입교통량 조절

수치 시뮬레이션

References

Daganzo, C.F. (1997). Fundamentals of Transportation and Traffic Operations, Pergamon, Oxford. 10.1108/9780585475301
Elfar, A., Xavier, C., Talebpour, A., Mahmassani, H.S. (2018). “Traffic shockwave detection in a connected environment using the speed distribution of individual vehicles.” Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, Vol. 2672, No. 20, pp. 203-213. 10.1177/0361198118794717
Greenshields, B.D. (1935). “A study of traffic capacity.” Proceedings of the Highway Research Board, Washington, D.C., US, Vol. 14, pp. 448-477.
Han, Y., Park, B.H., Lee, S.B. (2012). “Signal control strategy for signalized intersections considering delay time and progression.” Journal of Korean Society of Transportation, Vol. 30, No. 6, pp. 35-46.
Jo, J. H. (2005). “Comparison of Delay Estimation Models at Signalized Intersections.” Journal of Korean Society of Transportation, Vol. 23, No. 1, pp. 51-62.
Kim, W.K., Lee, Y.T., Lee, S.B. (2009). “A methodology for delay estimation at moving bottlenecks on uninterrupted flow facilities.” Journal of Korean Society of Transportation, Vol. 27, No. 4, pp. 93-102.
Lee, M.H. (2013). Estimation of Queue Length at Signalized Intersections Using Link Travel Time Information. Master Thesis, University of Seoul.
Lighthill, M.J., Whitham, G.B. (1955). “On kinematic waves. II. a theory of traffic flow on long crowded roads.” Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series A, Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Vol. 229, No. 1178, pp. 317-345.
Moon, Y.S., Son, B.S. (2017). “Analysis of congestion conditions in freeway work zones using shock wave theory.” Proceedings of the 19th Korean Society of Road Engineers Annual Conference, Yeosu, Korea, p. 71.
Newell, G.F. (1993). “A simplified theory of kinematic waves in highway traffic, part I: general theory.” Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Vol. 27, No. 4, pp. 281-287. 10.1016/0191-2615(93)90038-C
Newell, G.F. (1993). “A simplified theory of kinematic waves in highway traffic, part iii: multi-destination flows.” Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Vol. 27, No. 4, pp. 305-313. 10.1016/0191-2615(93)90040-H
Richards, P.I. (1956). “Shock waves on the highway.” Operations Research, Vol. 4, No. 1, pp. 42-51. 10.1287/opre.4.1.42
Ryu, J.H., Kim, S.G. (2011). “Development of a shock wave traffic volume model for traffic flow propagation analysis.” Proceedings of the 64th Conference of Korean Society of Transportation, Road Traffic Authority, Seoul, Korea, pp. 348-353.
Treiber, M., Kesting, A. (2013). Traffic Flow Dynamics: Data. Models and Simulation, Springer, Berlin, Germany. 10.1007/978-3-642-32460-4
Yang, K., Yang, H., Du, L. (2024). “A data-driven traffic shockwave speed detection approach based on vehicle trajectories data.” Journal of Intelligent Transportation Systems: Technology, Planning, and Operations, Vol. 28, No. 6, pp. 971-987. 10.1080/15472450.2023.2270415
Zhang, Y., Kouvelas, A., Makridis, M.A. (2024). “A time-varying shockwave speed model for reconstructing trajectories on freeways using lagrangian and eulerian observations.” Expert Systems with Applications, Vol. 253, 124298. 10.1016/j.eswa.2024.124298

Information

Publisher :The Korean Society of Disaster Information
Publisher(Ko) :한국재난정보학회
Journal Title :Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
Journal Title(Ko) :한국재난정보학회논문집
Volume : 22
No :3
Pages :831-841
DOI :https://doi.org/10.15683/kosdi.2026.9.30.831

[1] Daganzo, C.F. (1997). Fundamentals of Transportation and Traffic Operations, Pergamon, Oxford. 10.1108/9780585475301

[2] Elfar, A., Xavier, C., Talebpour, A., Mahmassani, H.S. (2018). “Traffic shockwave detection in a connected environment using the speed distribution of individual vehicles.” Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, Vol. 2672, No. 20, pp. 203-213. 10.1177/0361198118794717

[3] Greenshields, B.D. (1935). “A study of traffic capacity.” Proceedings of the Highway Research Board, Washington, D.C., US, Vol. 14, pp. 448-477.

[4] Han, Y., Park, B.H., Lee, S.B. (2012). “Signal control strategy for signalized intersections considering delay time and progression.” Journal of Korean Society of Transportation, Vol. 30, No. 6, pp. 35-46.

[5] Jo, J. H. (2005). “Comparison of Delay Estimation Models at Signalized Intersections.” Journal of Korean Society of Transportation, Vol. 23, No. 1, pp. 51-62.

[6] Kim, W.K., Lee, Y.T., Lee, S.B. (2009). “A methodology for delay estimation at moving bottlenecks on uninterrupted flow facilities.” Journal of Korean Society of Transportation, Vol. 27, No. 4, pp. 93-102.

[7] Lee, M.H. (2013). Estimation of Queue Length at Signalized Intersections Using Link Travel Time Information. Master Thesis, University of Seoul.

[8] Lighthill, M.J., Whitham, G.B. (1955). “On kinematic waves. II. a theory of traffic flow on long crowded roads.” Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series A, Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Vol. 229, No. 1178, pp. 317-345.

[9] Moon, Y.S., Son, B.S. (2017). “Analysis of congestion conditions in freeway work zones using shock wave theory.” Proceedings of the 19th Korean Society of Road Engineers Annual Conference, Yeosu, Korea, p. 71.

[10] Newell, G.F. (1993). “A simplified theory of kinematic waves in highway traffic, part I: general theory.” Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Vol. 27, No. 4, pp. 281-287. 10.1016/0191-2615(93)90038-C

[11] Newell, G.F. (1993). “A simplified theory of kinematic waves in highway traffic, part iii: multi-destination flows.” Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Vol. 27, No. 4, pp. 305-313. 10.1016/0191-2615(93)90040-H

[12] Richards, P.I. (1956). “Shock waves on the highway.” Operations Research, Vol. 4, No. 1, pp. 42-51. 10.1287/opre.4.1.42

[13] Ryu, J.H., Kim, S.G. (2011). “Development of a shock wave traffic volume model for traffic flow propagation analysis.” Proceedings of the 64th Conference of Korean Society of Transportation, Road Traffic Authority, Seoul, Korea, pp. 348-353.

[14] Treiber, M., Kesting, A. (2013). Traffic Flow Dynamics: Data. Models and Simulation, Springer, Berlin, Germany. 10.1007/978-3-642-32460-4

[15] Yang, K., Yang, H., Du, L. (2024). “A data-driven traffic shockwave speed detection approach based on vehicle trajectories data.” Journal of Intelligent Transportation Systems: Technology, Planning, and Operations, Vol. 28, No. 6, pp. 971-987. 10.1080/15472450.2023.2270415

[16] Zhang, Y., Kouvelas, A., Makridis, M.A. (2024). “A time-varying shockwave speed model for reconstructing trajectories on freeways using lagrangian and eulerian observations.” Expert Systems with Applications, Vol. 253, 124298. 10.1016/j.eswa.2024.124298

Journal of the Society of Disaster Information ISSN:1976-2208(Print) 2671-5287(Online) 한국재난정보학회논문집

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