An improved car-following model considering headway changes with memory

• The linkage between headway changes with memory and car-following behaviors was explored.
• An improved car-following model considering headway changes with memory was proposed.
• Headway changes with memory have significant effects on car-following behaviors and fuel consumptions.
• Considering headway changes can improve the traffic flow stability and minimize cars’ fuel consumptions.

To describe car-following behaviors in complex situations better, increase roadway traffic mobility and minimize cars’ fuel consumptions, the linkage between headway changes with memory and car-following behaviors was explored with the field car-following data by using the gray correlation analysis method, and then an improved car-following model considering headway changes with memory on a single lane was proposed based on the full velocity difference model. Some numerical simulations were carried out by employing the improved car-following model to explore how headway changes with memory affected each car’s velocity, acceleration, headway and fuel consumptions. The research results show that headway changes with memory have significant effects on car-following behaviors and fuel consumptions and that considering headway changes with memory in designing the adaptive cruise control strategy can improve the traffic flow stability and minimize cars’ fuel consumptions.