Assessing the Impacts of Dedicated CAV Lanes in a Connected Environment: An Application of Intelligent Transport Systems in Corktown, Michigan 2021-01-0177

The interaction of Connect and Automated vehicles (CAV) with regular vehicles in the traffic stream has been extensively researched. Most studies, however, focus on calibrating driver behavior models for CAVs based on various levels of automation and driver aggressiveness. Other related studies largely focus on the coordination of CAVs and infrastructure like traffic signals to optimize traffic. However, the effects of different strategic flow management of CAVs in the traffic stream in the comparative scenario-based analysis is understudied. Thus, this study develops a framework and simulations for integrating CAVs in a corridor section. We developed a calibrated model with CAVs for a corridor section in Corktown, Michigan, and simulate how dedicated CAV lane operations can be implemented without significant change in existing infrastructure. We create a simulation process that includes identifying hotspots using a macroscopic model for Southeast Michigan and focus on Corktown as an important section due to Ford’s redevelopment in the area. We further develop different strategies at the microscopic level where we include a suite of options such as converting a curbside lane to CAV lane only; using a center lane as a dedicated CAV lane; converting curbside parking into a dedicated CAV lane; and integrated novel signal optimization methods. Findings indicate that smart infrastructure re-configuration, such as changing signal timing and adding left-turn lanes, can solve some issues, but an omnipresent problem is regular vehicles turning across CAV lanes, which creates its congestion and reduces CAV lane performance. There is no turnkey CAV lane solution, but a Design of Experiment (DoE) based study can help find a solution which factors in the local conditions.