Exploring the Influences of Automated Shuttles on Mobility Pattern and Traffic System at Different Granularity Levels

Abstract

This paper shows the abilities of MATSim and SUMO to reflect the real-world behavior of automated shuttles (AS) and their applicability to replicate and evaluate scenarios. Possible impacts of introducing AS at street- and city-level were investigated regarding the permitted low operating speeds of AS. Two simulation studies in Salzburg, Austria, and in Linköping, Sweden, were conducted. Together with the real pilot plans, different scenarios, considering operational speed, frequency and service type, were addressed. No significant impacts on the respective traffic systems were revealed, even though AS operated at a low speed (15-20 km/h). It is mainly due to the relatively low traffic density and other characteristics of the selected routes. Higher travel speed and Demand-Responsive-Transport operation help to improve the efficiency of AS and to increase the public acceptance. Though, additional push measures are needed to change the domination of cars in a rural setting for influencing modal shift.