Machine Learning Tools for Optimization of Fuel Consumption at Signalized Intersections in Connected/Automated Vehicles Environment

Researchers continue to seek numerous techniques for making the transportation sector more sustainable in terms of fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Among the most effective techniques is Eco-driving at signalized intersections. Eco-driving is a complex control problem where drivers approaching the intersections are guided, over a period of time, to optimize fuel consumption. Eco-driving control systems reduce fuel consumption by optimizing vehicle trajectories near signalized intersections based on information of the SpaT (Signal Phase and Timing). Developing Eco-driving applications for semi-actuated signals, unlike pre-timed, is more challenging due to variations in cycle length resulting from fluctuations in traffic demand. Reinforcement learning (RL) is a machine learning paradigm that mimics the human learning behavior where an agent attempts to solve a given control problem by interacting with the environment and developing an optimal policy. Unlike the methods implemented in previous studies for solving the Eco-driving problem, RL does not necessitate prior knowledge of the environment being learned and processed. Therefore, the aim of this study is twofold: (1) Develop a novel brute force Eco-driving algorithm (ECO-SEMI-Q) for CAV (Connected/Autonomous Vehicles) passing through semi-actuated signalized intersections; and (2) Develop a novel Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) Eco-driving algorithm for CAV passing through fixed-time signalized intersections. The developed algorithms are tested at both microscopic and macroscopic levels. For the microscopic level, results indicate that the fuel consumption for vehicles controlled by the ECO-SEMI-Q and DRL models is 29.2% and 23% less than that for the case with no control, respectively. For the macroscopic level, a sensitivity analysis for the impact of MPR (Market Penetration Rate) shows that the savings in fuel consumption increase with higher MPR. Furthermore, when MPR is greater than 50%, the ECO-SEMI-Q algorithm provides appreciable savings in travel times. The sensitivity analysis indicates savings in the network fuel consumption when the MPR of the DRL algorithm is higher than 35%. At MPR less than 35%, the DRL algorithm has an adverse impact on fuel consumption due to aggressive lane change and passing maneuvers. These reductions in fuel consumption demonstrate the ability of the algorithms to provide more environmentally sustainable signalized intersections

Harnessing Big Data for Characterizing Driving Volatility in Instantaneous Driving Decisions – Implications for Intelligent Transportation Systems

This dissertation focuses on combining connected vehicles data, naturalistic driving sensor and telematics data, and traditional transportation data to prospect opportunities for engineering smart and proactive transportation systems.The key idea behind the dissertation is to understand (and where possible reduce) “driving volatility” in instantaneous driving decisions and increase driving and locational stability. As a new measure of micro driving behaviors, the concept of “driving volatility” captures the extent of variations in driving, especially hard accelerations/braking, jerky maneuvers, and frequent switching between different driving regimes. The key motivation behind analyzing driving volatility is to help predict what drivers will do in the short term. Consequently, this dissertation develops a “volatility matrix” which takes a systems approach to operationalizing driving volatility at different levels, trip-based volatility, location-based volatility, event-based volatility, and driver-based volatility. At the trip-level, the dynamics of driving regimes extracted from Basic Safety Messages transmitted between connected vehicles are analyzed at a microscopic level, and where the interactions between microscopic driving decisions and ecosystem of mapped local traffic states in close proximity surrounding the host vehicle are characterized. Another new idea relates to extending driving volatility to specific network locations, termed as “location-based volatility”. A new methodology is proposed for combining emerging connected vehicles data with traditional transportation data (crash, traffic, road geometrics data, etc.) to identify roadway locations where traffic crashes are waiting to happen. The idea of event-based and driver-based volatility introduces the notion that volatility in longitudinal and lateral directions prior to involvement in safety critical events (crashes/near-crashes) can be a leading indicator of proactive safety.Overall, by studying driving volatility from different lenses, the dissertation contributes to the scientific analysis of real-world connected vehicles data, and to generate actionable knowledge relevant to the design of smart and intelligent transportation systems. The concept of driving volatility matrix provides a systems framework for characterizing the health of three fundamental elements of a transportation system: health of driver, environment, and the vehicle. The implications of the findings and potential applications to proactive network level screening, customized driver assist and control systems, driving performance monitoring are discussed in detail

An Integratable V-X Communication based Conventional Vehicle Fuel Optimization model for distance based Ecological Driving Scheme

This thesis paper proposes An Integratable V-X Communication-based Conventional Vehicle Fuel Optimization model for real-time traffic conditions. Before departure, the speed profile for an entire route is optimized using signal phase and timing (SP AT) information and location of traffic lights to provide smooth transitions at traffic signal intersections. In this study, we are going to develop ”nonstop” optimal speed model that can be integrated to existing distance based eco-driving schemes. The initial simulation is done using MATLAB to evaluate optimal speed, fuel economy, the travel time of the ”nonstop” model and the results are compared with the optimization results from distance based eco-driving scheme which uses an estimation of distribution algorithm (EDA). Further integration compatibility of ”nonstop” model with the distance based eco-driving scheme is analyzed.Master of Science in EngineeringComputer Engineering, College of Engineering and Computer ScienceUniversity of Michigan-Dearbornhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/146734/1/Thesis 11-13-2018.pdfDescription of Thesis 11-13-2018.pdf : Thesi

Federated Learning for Connected and Automated Vehicles: A Survey of Existing Approaches and Challenges

Machine learning (ML) is widely used for key tasks in Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAV), including perception, planning, and control. However, its reliance on vehicular data for model training presents significant challenges related to in-vehicle user privacy and communication overhead generated by massive data volumes. Federated learning (FL) is a decentralized ML approach that enables multiple vehicles to collaboratively develop models, broadening learning from various driving environments, enhancing overall performance, and simultaneously securing local vehicle data privacy and security. This survey paper presents a review of the advancements made in the application of FL for CAV (FL4CAV). First, centralized and decentralized frameworks of FL are analyzed, highlighting their key characteristics and methodologies. Second, diverse data sources, models, and data security techniques relevant to FL in CAVs are reviewed, emphasizing their significance in ensuring privacy and confidentiality. Third, specific and important applications of FL are explored, providing insight into the base models and datasets employed for each application. Finally, existing challenges for FL4CAV are listed and potential directions for future work are discussed to further enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of FL in the context of CAV

A bilevel programming model for autonomous intersection control and trajectory planning

Advances in autonomous and connected vehicles bring new opportunities for intelligent intersection control strategies. In this paper, we propose a centralised way to jointly integrate an intersection control problem with vehicle trajectory planning. It is formulated as a bilevel optimisation problem in which the upper level is designed to minimise the total travel time by a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model. In contrast, the lower level is a linear programming (LP) model with an objective function to maximise the total speed entering the intersection. The two levels are coupled by the arrival time and terminal speed. By using the relationship between the safe time headway and the process time, a novel platoon-based method is developed to reduce the computational burden. Finally, simulation tests are carried out to investigate the control performance under different demands, intersection lengths, communication ranges and traffic compositions

The Development of the Digital Twin Platform for Smart Mobility Systems With High-Resolution 3D Data

69A3551847102This project develops the main modules and algorithm models for the digital twin platform for a smart mobility testing ground currently under construction. LiDAR (Line Detection And Ranging)-sensor-based object detection and 3D infrastructure modeling modules are developed and tested in the project. The developed digital twin model is pilot tested to conduct near-miss analysis at the intersections of the DataCity Smart Mobility Testing Ground in New Brunswick, NJ