Abstract: Fractal geometry, a new mathematical branch, is a powerful theoretic tool which may be applied to deal with irregular graphs in the nature and engineering. This paper introduces the application of fractal interpolation function graphs to traffic flow curves varing strongly with time. First, fractal interpolation method is applied to simulate entire function graph of traffic flow with the measured discrete time-flow coordinate data. Afterwards, we put forward fractal prediction method by fractal interpolation function and the fact that traffic flow statistically possesses self-similar character to effectively interpret future traffic data. Finally, we suggest directions for further work.

Key words: fractal, self-similar, fractal interpolation function, traffic flow, prediction

摘要： 分形几何是一门新兴的数学分支，它是一个研究和处理自然与工程中不规则图形的强有力的理论工具本文用分形插值函数的图象来表示随时间变化很强的交通流的曲线.首先，通过测量的交通流量的离散时间一流量坐标数据，用分形插值函数方法模拟交通流整体函数的图像.然后，应用分形插值函数的思想，根据交通流普遍存在统计上的自相似性，提出分形预测方法.最后，对以后的工作进行了展望.

关键词: 分形, 自相似, 分形插值函数, 交通流, 预测