Human Factors of Automated Driving: Predicting the Effects of Authority Transitions on Traffic Flow Efficiency

Subject

Automated driving can lead to changes in the performance of the driving task with ultimately an impact on traffic flow. Under certain traffic situations (e.g., dense traffic flow conditions and before manoeuvres such as lane-changing), drivers could prefer to switch the system off and transfer to a lower level of automation (or manual driving) or are forced to switch off by the system. These transitions between different levels of automation are defined as authority transitions. These transitions could significantly affect the longitudinal and lateral dynamics of vehicles and may consequently influence traffic flow efficiency considerably.

Scientific challenges

Mathematical models of driving behaviour can be implemented in microscopic simulation software packages to evaluate the impact of automated vehicles on traffic flow efficiency at varying penetration rates. Currently, most mathematical models describing car-following and lane-changing behaviour do not adequately represent authority transitions for automated vehicles. Thus, the effects predicted by these models might not be accurate. This research aims at developing and implementing a driver behaviour model which account for these transitions. Using this model, the effects of automated driving on traffic flow will be evaluated more accurately.

Societal relevance

Automated driving potentially has a significant impact on traffic flow efficiency, safety levels and levels of emissions. Indeed, automated vehicles which show cooperative behaviour are expected to reduce congestion levels by increasing road capacity, anticipating traffic conditions downstream and also increasing the outflow from a queue.

Silvia Francesca Varotto

Start/end date: January 2014 – January 2018
Daily supervisor: Haneen Farah
Promotor: Bart van Arem, Serge Hoogendoorn