An improved continuum model for traffic flow considering driver's memory during a period of time and numerical tests

Considering effect of driver's memory during a period of time, an improved continuum model for traffic flow is proposed in this paper. By means of linear stability theory, the improved model's linear stability with driver's memory is obtained, which demonstrates that driver's memory have significant influence stability of traffic flow. The KdV-Burgers equation is deduced to describe the propagating behavior of traffic density wave near the neutral stability line by nonlinear analysis. Numerical results show that driver's memory has negative impact on stability of traffic flow, which will lead to traffic congestion.