Specified homogenization of a discrete traffic model leading to an effective junction condition (Q1660048)

In the article under review, the authors consider the model \[ \dot{U}_i(t) = V(U_{i+1}(t)-U_i(t)) \phi(t,U_i(t))\quad (i\in \mathbb{Z}), \] where \(V\) is a Lipschitz continuous non-negative function subject to various other properties. Also \(\phi\) is Lipschitz continuous taking values in \([0,1]\) and being constant equal \(1\) on \( \mathbb{R}\times \big( (-\infty, -r]\cup [r,\infty)\big)\) for some \(r\geq 0\); in addition \(\phi\) is \(\mathbb{Z}\)-periodic with respect to the first variable. In this way, \(\phi\) forms a local perturbation of the overall model. Define the `cummulative distribution function' \(\rho^\varepsilon (t,y) =\varepsilon \rho(t/\varepsilon,y/\varepsilon)\) with \(\rho(t,y ) = - \big( \sum_{i\geq 0} H(y-U_i(t))+ \sum_{i< 0} (-1+ H(y-U_i(t)))\) and \(H(x)=1\) for \(x\geq 0\) and \(H(x)=0\) if \(x<0\). In their main result, the authors construct a function \(\overline{H}\), with which they define the limit equation of Hamilton-Jacobi type. Furthermore \(\rho^\varepsilon\) converges to the solution of the limit equation as \(\varepsilon\) tends to zero. Tools used by the authors are the concept of viscosity solutions and appropriate comparison principles.