A theoretical approach to analysis on the downstream and upstream road traffic flow rate of a single intersection

A simple intersection is analyzed for vehicle behavior in both upstream and downstream directions by applying shock wave theory. First, the shock wave and its variation are shown and important characteristics are indicated. Then, the upstream vehicle queue and its dynamics, the flow rates of the upstream and the downstream are formulated respectively. From the upstream queue analysis a relationship between its length and the average time headways, both upstream and downstream flow rates are formulated.