A2.18
Part II, 2001
(i) Establish two conservation laws for the equation
State sufficient boundary conditions that should satisfy for the conservation laws to be valid.
(ii) The equation
models traffic flow on a single-lane road, where represents the density of cars, and is a given function of . By considering the rate of change of the integral
show that represents the velocity of the cars.
Suppose now that (in suitable units), and that everywhere. Assume that a queue is building up at a traffic light at , so that, when the light turns green at ,
For this problem, find and sketch the characteristics in the plane, for , paying particular attention to those emerging from the point . Show that a shock forms at . Find the density of cars for , and all .