Optimal traffic organization in ants under crowded conditions

Audrey Dussutour (), Vincent Fourcassié, Dirk Helbing and Jean-Louis Deneubourg
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Audrey Dussutour: Université Paul Sabatier
Vincent Fourcassié: Université Paul Sabatier
Dirk Helbing: Dresden University of Technology
Jean-Louis Deneubourg: Université Libre de Bruxelles

Nature, 2004, vol. 428, issue 6978, 70-73

Abstract: Abstract Efficient transportation, a hot topic in nonlinear science1, is essential for modern societies and the survival of biological species. Biological evolution has generated a rich variety of successful solutions2, which have inspired engineers to design optimized artificial systems3,4. Foraging ants, for example, form attractive trails that support the exploitation of initially unknown food sources in almost the minimum possible time5,6. However, can this strategy cope with bottleneck situations, when interactions cause delays that reduce the overall flow? Here, we present an experimental study of ants confronted with two alternative routes. We find that pheromone-based attraction generates one trail at low densities, whereas at a high level of crowding, another trail is established before traffic volume is affected, which guarantees that an optimal rate of food return is maintained. This bifurcation phenomenon is explained by a nonlinear modelling approach. Surprisingly, the underlying mechanism is based on inhibitory interactions. It points to capacity reserves, a limitation of the density-induced speed reduction, and a sufficient pheromone concentration for reliable trail perception. The balancing mechanism between cohesive and dispersive forces appears to be generic in natural, urban and transportation systems.

Date: 2004
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DOI: 10.1038/nature02345

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