Managing Connected Automated Vehicles in Mixed Traffic Considering Communication Reliability: a Platooning Strategy

Abstract

Managing connected and automated vehicles (CAV) in mixed traffic scenario necessitates special attention when introducing them into the market. The coexistence of CAVs and non-CAVs leads to complex interactions. To simplify the interactions in the envisioned scenario, a strategy that operates CAVs in a platoon which is led by a CAV driven by a human is proposed in this paper. Implementing this strategy in practice requires feasible platooning approaches of assigning CAV roles in platoons (i.e. to be a leader or a follower) and reliable communication between CAVs and roadside units (RSU). Two rudimentary rule-based approaches are designed in this paper and examined in a micro-simulation. All CAVs are assumed to be V2X enabled. CAVs start communicating with each other and RSU when they enter the CAV zone. The RSU require CAVs to follow a certain platooning approach and CAVs cooperate with each other to form platoons. The impacts of different platooning approaches and communication reliability level are evaluated by total travel time and the automated driving mode duration.