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How human drivers control their vehicle

  • Interdisciplinary Physics
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The European Physical Journal B - Condensed Matter and Complex Systems Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract.

The data presented here show that human drivers apply a discrete noisy control mechanism to drive their vehicle. A car-following model built on these observations, together with some physical limitations (crash-freeness, acceleration), lead to non-Gaussian probability distributions in the speed difference and distance which are in good agreement with empirical data. All model parameters have a clear physical meaning and can be measured. Despite its apparent complexity, this model is simple to understand and might serve as a starting point to develop even quantitatively correct models.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Transport Research, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Rutherfordstrasse 2, 12489, Berlin, Germany

    P. Wagner

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  1. P. Wagner
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Correspondence to P. Wagner.

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Wagner, P. How human drivers control their vehicle. Eur. Phys. J. B 52, 427–431 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1140/epjb/e2006-00300-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1140/epjb/e2006-00300-1

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