Modeling

This is the first of two reports in which we detail the accomplishments and findings of a two-year research project aimed at determining control and spacing strategies as well as developing performance issues for automated vehicles traveling in platoons under non-uniform conditions. The first phase of the research was geared toward determining parameter uncertainty ranges for a given model and expected disturbances that materially affect the behavior of a vehicle in a platoon. Once this was completed, the relevant criteria for determining platoon performance were investigated. A simulation...

This report describes the development of a driver model from a Human Science perspective, with the goal of integrating this model into a simulation environment supporting the design and support of Intelligent Transportation Systems. It also provides a discussion regarding the challenges faced in such an enterprise, concluding with a discussion concerning the need to develop a driver simulator.

Traffic detectors support most traffic management applications, so it is important that a detector performs as expected. This study evaluates the performance of four loop sensor models and the Remote Traffic Microwave Sensor (RTMS), adding to the body of sensor performance knowledge through the use of new analytical techniques. The study collected contact closure data from all five of the detectors and concurrent video data. Each loop sensor was deployed following Caltrans guidelines for at least 24 hours across dual loop detectors in each lane of I-80, north of Oakland, CA. The research...

This is the final report of the research program “Compatibility of Vehicles Within a Platoon (MOU-156).” This research area is continuing under a different, contract and thus, although the work presented herein is complete unto itself, the overall research goals laid out at the beginning of the program will not be attained until the conclusion of the entire related research effort.The material presented in this report provides a description of a simple dynamical model that can be used for determining the physical interaction of vehicles in a collision scenario. Such a model is of use in...