The Impact of Electronic Coupled Heavy Trucks on Traffic Flow

Abstract

Abstract Over the past decades goods transportation has been increasing and currently widely accepted forecast studies predict a continuation of this trend and a further growth for the coming decades. In order to cope with this growing demand, a better use of existing infrastructure is needed. In order to achieve this optimisation of infrastructure use, intelligent transportation systems and telematics are considered of central importance, by political organisations as well as by freight forwarders and drivers. Current research activity is focusing on the driving assistance system Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control (CACC) by projects like KONVOI, SARTRE and PATH. The CACC-systems enables the coupling of several vehicles to build a platoon. While the first vehicle of such a platoon is driven manually, the following vehicles operate fully automated, controlled by the CACC system. The technology is developed for long haulage trucks and was successfully tested on the road by the RWTH Aachen, Germany, already. Furthermore, simulations of trucks and cars equipped with CACC demonstrated positive effects in the form of a harmonisation of the general traffic flow and a reduction of travelling time for the individual vehicle. So far though, it is not known which effects CACC has on the traffic flow and the travelling time if only long haulage trucks are equipped with CACC within a fleet. This research is contributing to closing this gap by simulating the scenario within VISSIM. The results confirm an impact of CACC on the capacity of motorways of up to 5.5 % and up to 6.4 % in travel time of cars, even if only long haulage trucks are equipped with CACC. Therefore it can be stated, that a better use of the existing infrastructure is possible.