Development and Evaluation of Enhanced IntelliDrive-Enabled Lane Changing Advisory Algorithm to Address Freeway Merge Conflict

Abstract

Freeway merge conflicts contribute significantly to freeway congestion. With the capabilities that will be available in an IntelliDrive environment, which enables vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications, new approaches to managing freeway merges are possible. In this paper, an enhanced IntelliDrive enabled lane changing advisory algorithm was developed with a variable gap size concept. This algorithm first calculates anticipated lead–lag gap sizes with the equations of motion prepared for a car and a truck and for three vehicle dynamics (accelerating, maintaining current speed, and decelerating). The algorithm then provides lane changing advisories to freeway main-line vehicles (selected on the basis of the calculated variable gap sizes) to create more space within the ramp merging area. Evaluation conducted with a VISSIM microscopic traffic simulation model of a freeway network in Virginia showed that the proposed algorithm has the potential to address freeway merge conflicts. The maximum operational improvement observed was 6.4% higher average speed in the freeway main line within a merge area. Up to a 5.2% reduction in emissions was achieved. Further analysis conducted in terms of the sensitivity of algorithm performance to driver compliance rates suggested that a very high compliance rate (90% or higher) was necessary for the proposed algorithm to work as intended.

Analysis of Traffic Performance of a Merging Assistant Strategy Using Cooperative Vehicles

“…VISSIM uses a psycho-physical car following model based on [29] and a lane-changing/merging model incorporating courtesy lane-changing and courtesy yielding behaviour. This tool has been used in recent evaluations of cooperative merging control strategies [22], [23].…”

“…More recently, Pueboobpaphan et al studied again the effects of Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control for merging assistance in case of mixed traffic, also considering the effects on string stability [21]. Park et al, instead of reducing the speed of main carriageway vehicles to create gaps, proposed an algorithm providing lane changing advice to motorway main carriageway vehicles to create larger gaps for merging vehicles [22]. Finally, Marinescu et al suggested a merging algorithm with cooperation between main carriageway vehicles and on-ramp vehicles based on a slot-based traffic management system [23].…”

Control Concepts for Facilitating Motorway On-ramp Merging Using Intelligent Vehicles

“…Surprisingly, almost all the algorithms focus on controlling the longitudinal movement of vehicles, that is, speed profile and gap creation, and only a few use advisory or mandatory lane changes of main carriageway vehicles for facilitating the merging process (Marinescu et al, 2012;Park et al, 2011). Managing lateral movements requires more complex algorithms and control over a group of vehicles.…”

“…Park et al (2011) developed an algorithm for advisory lane-changing intended to reduce merging conflict. Selected main carriageway vehicles are advised to change lane in order to create gaps for on-ramp vehicles.…”

Variable Speed Limit Strategies to Reduce the Impacts of Traffic Flow Breakdown at Recurrent Freeway Bottlenecks

“…The information received from the devices can be transmitted to the driver through visual, audible and tangible warnings. Park et al (2011) evaluated the deployment of freeway merge assistance to provide advisory messages at heavy weaving areas through V2V using VISSIM simulation. The evaluated algorithm calculates the acceleration rates and headway based on the collected gap information on freeway lanes.…”