Addressing Mixed Traffic Through Platooning of Vehicles

TL;DR

This paper proposes an optimal control framework to coordinate mixed traffic of connected automated vehicles and human-driven vehicles by forming platoons, enhancing safety and efficiency in various traffic scenarios.

Contribution

It introduces a novel control approach that directly manages CAVs to influence HDV behavior, enabling safe coordination in mixed traffic environments.

Findings

Effective platoon formation in mixed traffic scenarios.

Improved safety and traffic flow efficiency.

Framework applicable to various traffic conditions.

Abstract

Connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) provide the most intriguing opportunity for enabling users to better monitor transportation network conditions and make better operating decisions to improve safety and reduce pollution, energy consumption, and travel delays. While several studies have shown the benefits of CAVs in reducing energy and alleviating traffic congestion in specific traffic scenarios, e.g., crossing signal-free intersections, merging at roadways and roundabouts, cruising in congested traffic, passing through speed reduction zones, and lane-merging or passing maneuvers, most of these efforts have focused on 100% CAV penetration rates without considering human-driven vehicles (HDVs). One key question that still remains unanswered is ``how can CAVs and HDVs be coordinated safely?'' In this paper, we report on an optimal control framework to coordinate CAVs and HDVs at any traffic scenario. The idea is to directly control the CAVs to force the trailing HDVs to form platoons. Thus, we indirectly control the HDVs by coordinating the platoon of HDVs led by CAVs.