Newell's Car-Following Model

Newell's Car-Following Model describes how drivers adjust their speed based on the vehicle ahead. It suggests that a driver maintains a safe distance and reacts to the leader's movements by gradually accelerating or braking. The model assumes drivers aim to match the speed of the car in front while keeping a consistent following distance. Essentially, it captures the dynamic process of drivers responding to changing traffic conditions, helping to predict traffic flow and congestion patterns. This model is useful for understanding how traffic jams can form even without accidents, purely from driver behavior.