Assessment of Capacity Changes Due to Automated Vehicles on Freeway Corridors

About the project:

This project will assess capacity changes due to the introduction of connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) on Virginia freeway corridors. The AV technology considered consists of adaptive cruise control (ACC) and cooperative adaptive cruise control (CACC) with varying operational parameters. Overall three vehicle types including legacy vehicles, vehicles equipped with ACC and vehicles equipped with CACC are considered in mixed traffic scenarios to determine their overall effect on capacity. The primary focus will be on modeling basic freeway facilities at various market penetration levels to capture the effects of capacity among other measures of effectiveness for mixed traffic flows. Mixed traffic scenarios include light duty passenger vehicles and heavy vehicles each with ACC and CACC capabilities. Some limited modeling of interchanges will also occur so as to better understand the interaction between system components. The results of the project will provide VDOT with estimates of potential freeway capacities.

Project Team

Principal Investigators

Other Investigators