Flow-Density Relationship

The flow-density relationship describes how the number of vehicles on a road (density) affects the traffic flow (vehicles passing a point per hour). Typically, as density increases, flow improves because more cars are moving efficiently. However, beyond a certain point, too many cars cause congestion, leading to slower speeds and decreased flow. Essentially, there is an optimal density where traffic flows smoothly; too few cars mean low flow, and too many cause traffic jams. This relationship helps traffic engineers design better roads and manage congestion effectively.