Multiple metastable network states in urban traffic

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1907493117
• Publication Date: 2020-07-14T00:28:12Z
• Authors: Guanwen Zeng; Jianxi Gao; Louis Shekhtman; Shengmin Guo; Weifeng Lv; Jianjun Wu; Hao Liu; Orr Levy; Daqing Li; Ziyou Gao; H. Eugene Stanley; Shlomo Havlin
• Keywords: Three-phase traffic theory; Percolation (cognitive psychology); Metastability

Significance Different traffic states experienced by commuters may be due to localized random jams or overall network states, which is decided system response perturbations. While for natural systems, the existence of multiple common, evidence in transportation has so far been unclear, hinders our ability predict and prevent spread jams. Based on percolation theory high-resolution GPS datasets, we find strong metastable corresponding distinct performance regimes. Our results provide deep insight a city manager seeking design early warning signals from shifting state severe congestion.