Experience simulating a fully connected transportation system
Amherst, New York, United States
Assessing the Mobility and Environmental Benefits of Reservation-Based Intelligent Intersections Using an Integrated Simulator
Summary Information
This study developed an integrated simulation test bed that allowed new connected vehicle applications to be designed and evaluated. Defined as an "intelligent intersection" researchers devised an application that could take advantage of real-time vehicle situation data and manage intersection efficiency using a reservation-based strategy. Using wireless V2I communications vehicles approaching the intersection would connect with an automated intersection coordinator and reserve a time slot enabling them to pass through the intersection with minimal delay relative to prevailing traffic conditions. At times when reservations conflicted the intersection coordinator would notify vehicles to slow down as needed to make more slots available and then repeat the reservation request process. Overall the reservation system used a first-come-first serve logic, but incorporated vehicle situation data to optimize mobility for the majority of vehicles to improve intersection efficiency.
Results indicated that a network of autonomous vehicles with full market penetration can use intelligent intersection data to manage approach speeds and reduce fuel consumption by 50 percent resulting in 39 to 50 percent fewer emissions.