Numerical schemes for a class of nonlocal conservation laws: a general approach (Q6145325)

The manuscript titled ``Numerical schemes for a class of nonlocal conservation laws: a general approach'' by Jan Friedrich, Sanjibanee Sudha, and Samala Rathan delves into the development and analysis of a framework for approximating solutions to nonlocal conservation laws, which are integral in modelling diverse physical phenomena including traffic flow, sedimentation, and supply chains. The crux of these laws lies in incorporating a nonlocal term, representing an integral evaluation over space, which significantly complicates their analysis and numerical treatment. To address the challenge posed by the nonlocal term, the authors introduce a two-step approximation process. Initially, they approximate the nonlocal term using an appropriate quadrature rule, applied to the spatial discretization. Subsequently, a numerical flux function is employed on the reduced problem, providing explicit conditions that this function must satisfy to ensure the convergence of the numerical scheme to the weak entropy solution of the model class in question. These conditions are vital, as they guarantee both the stability of the numerical method and its consistency with the physical system being modeled. The manuscript thoroughly validates these theoretical advancements through numerical examples, demonstrating the applicability of the proposed approach across various nonlocal problems. In detailing the methods employed, the paper articulates the mathematical formulation of the scalar conservation laws with nonlocal transport terms, highlighting the complexity introduced by such terms. It elaborates on the discretization techniques used for spatial and temporal variables, alongside the construction of numerical flux functions under specific conditions designed to maintain the mathematical integrity of the solutions. Notably, the study introduces an innovative way to handle the nonlocal term, effectively reducing the nonlocal conservation law to a form where traditional numerical methods for local conservation laws can be adapted and applied. The main findings reveal that the proposed numerical schemes are not only feasible but also robust, offering significant improvements over existing methods, particularly in terms of reducing numerical diffusion. These results are substantiated through rigorous mathematical analysis and illustrated via examples that span traffic flow and sedimentation models. The research confirms the theoretical underpinnings of the approach with empirical evidence, showing that the numerical schemes devised adhere to the maximum principle and provide bounded variation (BV) and time-continuity estimates, essential for ensuring the physical plausibility of the solutions. The significance of this research lies in its contribution to the broader field of numerical analysis for partial differential equations, particularly in the context of nonlocal conservation laws. By presenting a generalizable method for constructing numerical schemes that can accommodate the nonlocal terms characteristic of various physical and engineering applications, this study paves the way for more accurate and efficient computational models. The authors' approach, which bridges the gap between nonlocal and local conservation laws through numerical methods, is poised to have a lasting impact on the study and application of nonlocal conservation laws, enhancing our capacity to simulate and understand complex systems governed by these laws.