Flux-Density Traffic Diagrams of Foraging Ants Suggest Absence of Jamming even Under External Perturbations

  • A. Reyes Group of Complex Systems and Statistical Physics, Physics Faculty, University of Havana, Havana 10400, Cuba
  • Frank Tejera Group of Complex Systems and Statistical Physics, Physics Faculty, University of Havana, 10400 Havana, Cuba
  • Ernesto Altshuler Group of Complex Systems and Statistical Physics, Physics Faculty, University of Havana, 10400 Havana, Cuba

Abstract

A traffic flux-density diagram consists in a graph were the flux of moving particles (like cars or pedestrians) is plotted as a function of the particle density. In conventional traffic, the presence of a decreasing branch in such diagram means jamming (i.e., particles are crowded so they cannot move anymore or move very slowly). We have measured and constructed a flux-density diagram for trails of foraging ants of the species Atta insularis. Our diagrams do not show a decreasing branch, indicating that ants do not reach the jammed state during foraging. Moreover, the jamming-free scenario persists even when the foraging trail is perturbed by abducting ants.

Published
Jul 14, 2016
How to Cite
REYES, A.; TEJERA, Frank; ALTSHULER, Ernesto. Flux-Density Traffic Diagrams of Foraging Ants Suggest Absence of Jamming even Under External Perturbations. Revista Cubana de Física, [S.l.], v. 33, n. 1, p. 44-46, july 2016. ISSN 2224-7939. Available at: <https://www.revistacubanadefisica.org/index.php/rcf/article/view/19>. Date accessed: 28 mar. 2024.
Section
Original Articles

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