Evaluation of managed-lane operation plan for autonomous vehicles

Autonomous driving technology, in which cars recognise their surroundings and drive by way of mechanical control, has attracted much attention. However, before the introduction of autonomous driving technology, there will be a mixture of autonomous and non-autonomous vehicles, which will require a traffic operation management strategy to ensure the safety and operational efficiency of the mixed traffic flow. In response, an operation plan is proposed here to design and operate a managed lane to minimise friction between autonomous and non-autonomous vehicles in the commercialisation phase of autonomous vehicles (AVs). To evaluate this AV managed-lane operation strategy, effectiveness measurements relation to safety, operation efficiency and the environment were derived by conducting a simulation analysis using Vissim software. Then, a value function was developed that reflects the three measurements and their importance weighting values. Using this approach, the paper provides a strategy of optimal AV managed-lane operation that can increase operational efficiency and safety in expressway on/off-ramp areas.