Analysis of highway performance under mixed connected and regular vehicle environment

Zhao Zhang,Xianfeng (Terry) Yang

doi:10.1108/jicv-10-2020-0011

Zhao Zhang, Xianfeng (Terry) Yang

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1108/jicv-10-2020-0011

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Abstract

Purpose This study aims to study the connected vehicle (CV) impact on highway operational performance under a mixed CV and regular vehicle (RV) environment. Design/methodology/approach The authors implemented a mixed traffic flow model, along with a CV speed control model, in the simulation environment. According to the different traffic characteristics between CVs and RVs, this research first analyzed how the operation of CVs can affect highway capacity under both one-lane and multi-lane cases. A hypothesis was then made that there shall exist a critical CV penetration rate that can significantly show the benefit of CV to the overall traffic. To prove this concept, this study simulated the mixed traffic pattern under various conditions. Findings The results of this research revealed that performing optimal speed control to CVs will concurrently benefit RVs by improving highway capacity. Furthermore, a critical CV penetration rate should exist at a specified traffic demand level, which can significantly reduce the speed difference between RVs and CVs. The results offer effective insight to understand the potential impacts of different CV penetration rates on highway operation performance. Originality/value This approach assumes that there shall exist a critical CV penetration rate that can maximize the benefits of CV implementations. CV penetration rate (the proportion of CVs in mixed traffic) is the key factor affecting the impacts of CV on freeway operational performance. The evaluation criteria for freeway operational performance are using average travel time under different given traffic demand patterns.

Highlights

Connected vehicles (CV) are wireless connectivity-enabled vehicles that can communicate with their internal and external environments Lu et al (2014)
The purpose of this study is to study the CV impact on highway operational performance under a mixed CV and regular vehicle (RV) environment
As expected that CVs and RVs will co-exist on the transportation network in a long period

Summary

Introduction

Connected vehicles (CV) are wireless connectivity-enabled vehicles that can communicate with their internal and external environments Lu et al (2014). Recent advancements of information technologies enable CVs to communicate with each other (V2V), roadside infrastructure (V2I) and the “Cloud” (V2C). CV technology is considered as one of the most promising methods to improve traffic safety, which could dramatically reduce traffic crashes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 439,000–615,000 crashes will be prevented after the full implementation of V2V (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA], 2016). Such prediction is supported by a category of studies. Liu et al (2017) adopted the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems for improving traffic safety under the CVs environment where vehicles are communicated with roadside infrastructure. Liu et al (2017) adopted the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems for improving traffic safety under the CVs environment where vehicles are communicated with roadside infrastructure. Rahman and Abdel-Aty (2018) applied a vehicle

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