To　describe　the　dynamics　of　traffic　flow　in　the　urban　link　accurately,　the　waves　which　generate　at　intersections　are　adopted　as　the　influencing　factors　of　traffic　flow.　Based　on　the　urban　traffic　waves,　a　wave-oriented　variable　cell　transmission　model　(WVCTM)　is　proposed　to　illustrate　the　urban　traffic　flow.　In　this　model,　the　average　density　and　length　are　the　state　variables.　The　cells　are　divided　by　traffic　waves.　The　upstream　cell　is　the　influence　area　of　the　waves　at　the　upstream　intersection,　the　downstream　cell　is　the　influence　area　of　the　waves　at　the　downstream　intersection,　and　the　rest　is　the　mediate　cell.　Consistent　with　the　fundamental　diagram　and　the　cell　division,　the　traffic　states　of　urban　links　are　divided　into　six　modes.　The　variation　of　modes　is　explained　by　hybrid　automata.　Finally,　an　experiment　is　designed　to　verify　the　feasibility　of　WVCTM.　The　data　in　the　experiment　come　from　the　actual　scene.　Compared　with　the　cell　transmission　model　(CTM)　and　variable-length　CTM　(VCTM),　WVCTM　possesses　the　valuable　performance　to　predict　the　traffic　states.　Likewise,　it　is　rational　that　WVCTM　can　correctly　illustrate　the　urban　traffic　flow.