Feedback control algorithms for the dissipation of traffic waves with autonomous vehicles

International audienceThis article considers the problem of traffic control in which an autonomous vehicle is used to regulate human piloted traffic to dissipate stop and go traffic waves. We first investigate the controllability of well-known microscopic traffic flow models, namely i) the Bando model (also known as the optimal velocity model), ii) the follow-the-leader model, and iii) a combined optimal velocity follow the leader model. Based on the controllability results, we propose three control strategies for an autonomous vehicle to stabilize the other, human-piloted traffic. We subsequently simulate the control effects on the microscopic models of human drivers in numerical experiments to quantify the potential benefits of the controllers. Based on the simulations, finally we conduct a field experiment with 22 human drivers and a fully autonomous-capable vehicle, to assess the feasibility of autonomous vehicle based traffic control on real human piloted traffic. We show that both in simulation and in the field test that an autonomous vehicle is able to dampen waves generated by 22 cars, and that as a consequence, the total fuel consumption of all vehicles is reduced by up to 20%

PROGRESSIVE DEPLOYMENT STEPS LEADING TOWARD AN AUTOMATED HIGHWAY SYSTEM

The most serious challenge to the credibility of highway automation as a potential solution to transportation problems has been the lack of a convincing deployment strategy. Such a strategy is needed to show how to advance, step by step, from today\u27s transportation system to a future system that includes automated highway systems (AHSs). The existing literature on AHS deployment is reviewed, and a set of principles that can be used to govern the design of AHS deployment strategies is suggested. A deployment sequence for AHSs is proposed, beginning with adaptive cruise control and then adding elements of vehicle-vehicle cooperation and lane protection to build toward AHS capabilities within the constraints of technological and human factors and economic feasibility. Finally, some example deployment road maps are shown for transit buses, heavy trucks, and light-duty passenger vehicles