Technology, human interaction, and complexity: Reflections on vehicular traffic science

This paper is based on the second Philip McCord Morse Lecture given May 14, 1991, at the TIMS/ORSA Joint National Meeting in Nashville. It traces the author’s involvement in the development of vehicular traffic science over the last 35 years. After some historical background, the paper discusses highlights of this work: developing and testing car-following theory, traffic theory for multilane highways, the behavior of traffic in towns, the relationship of trip decisions to traffic-system dynamics, and fuel consumption in urban areas. Throughout these discussions, particular attention is paid to the role of complexity and collective effects. The paper continues with comments on the importance of viewing traffic in the context of the overall infrastructure as well as its technology and environment. It concludes with some reflections on the state of the scientific enterprise in our society.