Role of Multiple Leaders and their Dynamic Variables on Vehicular Following Behaviour in Mixed Traffic Condition

In mixed traffic condition, vehicles with varying static and dynamic characteristics share the same road space. The smaller vehicles frequently try to manoeuvre through the gaps available between larger vehicles. In this scenario, the use of conventional vehicle-following models which considers the effect of single (overlapping) leader may become inappropriate. The influence of multiple leaders and their combinations on the response of the subject vehicle is a crucial research gap identified from the literature survey. In the multiple leader cases, the follower does not merely adjust to the relative speed and spacing with the primary (overlapping) leader, but judiciously responds to subsidiary (non-overlapping) leader attributes also. Present study formulates a model structure for vehicle-following manoeuvre in mixed traffic by incorporating the multiple leader dynamic variables. The spatial orientation of multiple leaders along with vehicle types and dynamic variables are found to have a substantial role, thus resulting in realistic representation of mixed traffic. These characteristics have the potential to enhance existing following behaviour models and improve the realism of microscopic modelling in mixed traffic conditions. Simulation models that integrate these attributes could find practical applications in more accurate assessments of traffic management and operational strategies.