| description abstract | IntelliDrive, the integration of vehicles and the infrastructure through wireless
communication, has generated great interest in the transportation community. It
is widely expected that IntelliDrive will support significantly improved
transportation operations. However, there have been few studies investigating
(1) how IntelliDrive will be used to improve operations, and (2) how
to estimate expected benefits of IntelliDrive operations applications. In this
study, the research team investigated the application of IntelliDrive to address
merging conflicts created by freeway on-ramps. Although merging conflicts
contribute significantly to freeway congestion, transportation engineers have
limited options with existing traffic surveillance and management tools.
IntelliDrive offers the potential for more active management of the surface
transportation system, providing capabilities that may be of significant benefit
in ramp management. In this research, a lane changing advisory algorithm was
developed to explore the potential of IntelliDrive in improving freeway ramp
management. Utilizing new IntelliDrive capabilities (highly detailed individual
vehicular data and personalized advisory information provision), the proposed
algorithm attempts to reduce merging conflicts by encouraging early mainline
freeway lane changes to create more space in ramp merging areas. An evaluation
of the algorithm was conducted by using a PARAMICS microscopic simulation model
of a heavily traveled freeway network in Orange County, California for morning
peak hours. The results have revealed that IntelliDrive has the potential to
increase vehicle miles traveled by up to 4.3% and reduce vehicle hours traveled
by up to 4.6%, which resulted in up to 9.3% higher average speeds, in the best
case. However, the results also indicated that, to achieve the greatest possible
benefits, the proposed algorithm requires very high compliance of drivers and
near full deployment of IntelliDrive. | |
