Evaluation of mixed semi-automated/manual traffic

Abstract

The advance in research and development will make the deployment of automated vehicles a reality in the near future. At the initial stage, semi-automated vehicles with the capability to follow each other automatically in the same lane will coexist with manually driven vehicles on the same roadway system. A number of safety and human factors issues need to be resolved before mixing becomes possible. Capacity may not always increase with the percentage of semi-automated vehicles due to the randomness of human drivers. A semi-automated vehicle will prevent the propagation of `slinky effects' without affecting the total travel time.