Developing Analysis, Modeling, and Simulation Tools for Connected and Automated Vehicle Applications: A Case Study for I-66 in Virginia

Federal Highway Administration2021PDFTech ReportMa, JiaqiGuo, YiHuang, ZhitongLeidos, Inc.University of California, Los AngelesUnited States. Federal Highway AdministrationHalkias, John A.McHale, GeneUnited States. Federal Highway AdministrationUnited StatesVirginiaConnected vehiclesIntelligent transportation systemsAutomated vehicle controlAutonomous intelligent cruise controlTraffic modelsAnalysis, modeling, and simulationAMSSpeed harmonizationCooperative adaptive cruise controlCACCCooperative mergeManaged lanesConnected and automated vehiclesCAVsCase studyInterstate 66I-66FHWA-HRT-21-050DTFH61-12-D-00030, TO 22Halkias, John; McHale, GeneThe purpose of this report is to document a simulation-based case study completed by the project team to investigate the effectiveness of SAE J3016 Level 1 automation technology for mitigating or solving existing transportation problems related to congestion, fuel consumption, and emissions (SAE International 2016). The case study conducted simulations on a real-world corridor, I\u201466 in Northern Virginia. This report discusses simulated infrastructure and connected and automated vehicle (CAV) technological strategies. The study evaluated the effectiveness of three CAV applications: cooperative adaptive cruise control, speed harmonization, and cooperative merge. The case study also evaluated the potential benefits of changes to the physical infrastructure, including dedicated ramps and a realistic managed-lane concept\u2014a connected vehicle (CV)\u2014 and CAV\u2014eligible high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane\u2014where CVs, CAVs, and HOVs (human-driven or CV and CAV) can access a left-side managed lane. The report identifies the most critical simulation parameters related to CAV algorithms, CV and CAV market penetration, traffic demand, and infrastructure enhancement alternatives and used various combinations of these factors to generate different simulation scenarios. The simulation results provide operational insights that State and local departments of transportation may use in future strategic planning for CAV programs.119