Lane changing analysis for two-lane traffic flow

In this paper, the two-lane traffic are studied by using thelane-changing rules in the car-following models. The simulation show thatthe frequent lane changing occurs when the lateral distance in car followingactivities is considered and it gives rise to oscillating waves. Incontrast, if the lateral distance is not considered (or consideredoccasionally), the lane changing appears infrequently and soliton wavesoccurs. This implies that the stabilization mechanism no longer functionswhen the lane changing is permitted. Since the oscillating and solitonwaves correspond to the unstable and metastable flow regimes, respectively,our study verifies that a phase transition may occur as a result of the lanechanging.