Automated Highways: Effects on Travel, Emissions, and Traveler Welfare

Abstract

A recent project simulating automated freeways in the Sacramento, Calif., region is described. Of special interest is the economic welfare model applied in this project. It was found that travel and emissions increase with capacity. Traveler economic welfare increased (over the no-build case) only in modest [97 km/h (60 mi/h) or one lane] automated highway system scenarios. Peak-period freeway tolls and parking pricing with land-use intensification at outer freeway ramps greatly increased user benefits, as did automating only single HOV lanes. Future automated highway system research should consider incremental automation (one lane at a time), tolls and parking cash-out, and land-use intensification near freeway ramps.