Abstract
Abstract
The present paper presents a study of the benefits, feasibility and future potential of automated motorways. The author firstly classifies various possible scenarios for the longitudinal control of an automated motorway, distinguishing between vehicle-following and point-following approaches. In all nine scenarios have been identified and examined general system organization, technical feasibility, performance, safety and legal aspects. The conclusion reached is that only platoon scenarios provide a significant increase in motorway capacity. However, scenarios of this type give rise to a certain number of problems, particularly as regards the prevention of the collision, infrastructure design, transition periods, degraded mode situations and driver acceptance. They are therefore difficult to envisage in the short and medium term. In the fairly short term the most plausible scenario appears to be that involving autonomous, isolated vehicles which are fitted with radar and which travel in lanes on a vehicle-following basis. This scenario does not increase motorway capacity, but could improve traffic safety, the productivity and the comfort of professional drivers.Keywords: automated highway, capacity, safety, comfort, productivity