Abstract: Data gaps are always observed in freeway or expressway traffic data operation. The occurrence of “jump”in many data sets can be found in the relevant traffic flow parameter chart, such as in the flow and density chart. This phenomenon cannot be explained by the conventional speed-flow-concentration relationship, while catastrophe theory provided a rational way. The researches on data gaps at home and abroad were summarized. Based on an introduction of catastrophe theory, the development and current research on the application of the theory in traffic flow theory were generalized. Furthermore, the application prospect of the theory was forecast.

Key words: traffic engineering, data gap, review, catastrophe theory, traffic flow theory

摘要：

高速公路或者快速路交通流的运行数据中常常可以观察到数据间隙现象，相应的交通流参数关系图中(如流量—密度图)会发现某些变量发生了“跳跃”式的变化.传统的交通流模型无法处理这种现象，突变理论则给出了合理的解释.本文总结了数据间隙的研究，介绍了突变理论的基本内容，综述了国内外应用突变理论解决交通流数据间隙问题的研究历史和现状，展望了突变理论应用的前景.

关键词: 交通工程, 数据间隙, 综述, 突变理论, 交通流理论