A multi-lane macroscopic traffic flow model for simple networks

Abstract : We prove the well-posedness of a system of balance laws inspired by [8], describing macro-scopically the traffic flow on a multi-lane road network. Motivated by real applications, we allow for the the presence of space discontinuities both in the speed law and in the number of lanes. This allows to describe a number of realistic situations. Existence of solutions follows from compactness results on a sequence of Godunov's approximations, while $L^1$-stability is obtained by the doubling of variables technique. Some numerical simulations illustrate the behaviour of solutions in sample cases.