Redesigning Highway Infrastructure Systems for Connected Autonomous Truck Lanes

Abstract

Previous studies on connected autonomous vehicles (CAVs) examined pavement performance and lane widths separately and in isolation, and without consideration for roadworks conditions. Hence, this study sort a holistic, optimal highway design solution for Connected Autonomous Trucks (CATs) by testing pavement failure and traffic performance under different cross-sectional configurations incorporating dedicated CAT lane, for both normal and temporary traffic management (TTM) arrangements. Firstly, a dual three-lane motorway (D3M) was selected as Base Case site. Next, previous research on sub-standard lanes were used to produce five non-standard cross-section alternatives, which were then modelled in 3D AutoCAD ® . Capital investments to implement the alternatives were calculated by applying established industry construction cost models. Each cross-section was then subjected to different CATs penetration rates (PRs) and wheel wander regimes, and their pavement structural deterioration analysed using the Texas Mechanistic-Empirical Asphalt Concrete Pavement Design and Analysis System (TxME) software. From this, maintenance frequencies and costs were determined. The study estimated delays and delay costs during TTM, over a 20-year design period. Finally, initial investment, rehabilitation and delay costs were combined. It was found that the lowest life-cycle cost (LCC) of £19,091,470 occurred for high (80%) CAT PR operating under Standard D3M, while the highest LCC of £152,728,100 was also for high PR, but under Substandard D4M. Optimal LCC was found to change with different PRs. Hence cross-sections should be dynamically modifiable, given the anticipated gradual increase in PRs over time.

Designing highways for the traffic of autonomous vehicles

“…Predviđaju se i promjene u poprečnom presjeku ceste, odnosno moguća suženja prometnih trakova od 65 do 75 cm, do kojih bi moglo doći uslijed korištenja sustava zadržavanja vozila u prometnom traku i, posljedično, smanjenja zaštitnih bočnih širina uz vozilo. U jednom istraživanju provedenom u Velikoj Britaniji [13] autori su prezentirali nove optimizirane poprečne presjeke na autocesti nestandardnih dimenzija. Radilo se o autocesti s postojeća tri prometna traka i zaustavnim trakom te je predloženo pet optimiziranih poprečnih presjeka kojima su varirane širine (2,5 -5,0 m) i broj prometnih trakova (3 ili 4), pri čemu je uvijek vanjski prometni trak uz zaustavni trak bio rezerviran isključivo za promet autonomnih teretnih vozila.…”

Optimal Lane Changing Problem of Vehicle Handling Inverse Dynamics Based on Mesh Refinement Method

“…To reduce emergency lane congestion, Li et al [14] introduced the logistic regression theory and proposed a vehicle detection method based on logistic regression. Jehanfo et al [15] presented a holistic optimal highway design solution for connected autonomous trucks by testing pavement failure and traffic performance under different cross-sectional configurations. To improve the ride comfort and safety of a traditional adaptive cruise control system, Yao et al [16] proposed a target vehicle selection algorithm based on the prediction of the lane-changing intention of the preceding vehicle.…”