Reading this result: Above critical density: stop-and-go waves dominate. Average speed drops sharply — this is the falling branch of the fundamental diagram.
Runs locally in your browser — free forever. Scale to the cloud when reality gets heavy.
★ Sign in to save this setupSave your tuned setup, or drop this simulation into your own site, docs, or course page.
How it works
The Nagel–Schreckenberg cellular-automaton model gives each car simple rules: accelerate, brake to avoid the car ahead, randomly dab the brakes, then move. The space-time diagram reveals jams as backward-traveling waves — the emergent congestion real highways show.
✦
Ask the AI about this model
The math, the assumptions, real-world uses, or a code translation — explained for this exact simulation.
Is this traffic flow simulation tool really free?▾
Yes. Traffic Flow runs entirely in your browser using your device's own compute, so local use is free forever. You only pay Compute Tokens if you scale a job to the cloud.
Do I need to install anything?▾
No. Everything runs client-side in a modern browser — no downloads, no license, no account required to start.
Can I save or share my simulation?▾
Create a free account to save projects, and use a shareable embed or minted DOI to publish a live, interactive version anywhere.
How accurate are the results?▾
The solver uses established numerical methods, but results are for research and educational purposes and should be validated against experiment or professional review before you rely on them.