Empirical validation of a queueing approach to uninterrupted traffic flows

In this paper, the use of queueing theory for modeling unin- terrupted tra-c ∞ows is evaluated. Empirical data on speeds and ∞ows are used to evaluate speeds generated by the difierent queueing models. Using the Theil inequality coe-cient as evaluation criterion, the speeds generated by the queueing models are compared to the empirical speeds. Queueing models that best flt the observed speeds are obtained. It appears that traf- flc ∞ow on a highway during non-congested hours is best described using a M=G=1 queueing model. During the congested hours however, the state de- pendent queueing GI=G=z models are more realistic. Because the queueing models describe the empirical data well, they can also be used to evaluate potential improvements in existing tra-c conditions.