Automated Highway Lane Management for AV Mode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing road designs and traffic control systems are inadequate for managing a mixture of autonomous vehicles (AVs) and human-driven vehicles, particularly in controlling mode switching, merging, diverging, overtaking, and emergency management on automated lanes.
Innovation Solution
A road design and traffic control system for connected and automated vehicle highway (CAVH) systems, incorporating subsystems for vehicle mode control, merging, diverging, and overtaking, as well as emergency management, utilizing buffer zones, mode switching zones, and dynamic lane markings, with communication between vehicles and infrastructure to manage AVs and human-driven vehicles on dedicated lanes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If dedicated automated lanes are introduced for AVs, then traffic flow efficiency and safety are improved, but road design complexity and infrastructure costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The highway is segmented into dedicated automated lanes and conventional lanes, with automated lanes specifically designated for AVs. This segmentation allows optimized traffic flow management for different vehicle types while maintaining overall system efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic lane management where lane assignments and traffic control parameters can change in real-time based on traffic conditions, AV density, and operational requirements. This dynamic approach optimizes productivity without requiring permanent complex infrastructure changes.
2Reliability
If mode switching zones and buffer zones are implemented, then safe transition between driving modes is achieved, but road length and infrastructure complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Mode switching zones and buffer zones are established in advance at strategic locations where transitions between automated and manual driving modes are anticipated. This preliminary preparation ensures safe transitions without requiring excessive road length, as the zones are placed only where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than making the entire road system complex, the patent applies specialized zones (mode switching zones, buffer zones) only at specific locations where transitions are needed. The majority of the highway maintains standard design, thus minimizing overall infrastructure complexity while ensuring safety at critical transition points.
3Adaptability or versatility
If comprehensive traffic control subsystems are deployed, then vehicle management and emergency response are improved, but system complexity and communication requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The traffic control subsystem is designed to perform multiple functions including mode switching management, merging/diverging control, emergency response, and real-time monitoring. This multi-functional approach improves adaptability and emergency response capability without requiring separate specialized systems for each function, thus managing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where the central controller receives real-time data from vehicles and infrastructure sensors, processes this information, and adjusts traffic control decisions dynamically. This feedback mechanism enables comprehensive vehicle management and emergency response while maintaining manageable system complexity through standardized communication protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein is technology relating to roadway design and traffic control systems and methods for connected and automated vehicle and highway (CAVH) systems, and particularly, but not exclusively, to systems and methods for controlling switching of vehicles between automated mode and human-driven mode, systems and methods for vehicle merging, diverging, and overtaking on automated lanes of multiple lane highways, systems and methods for emergency management and roadside assistance on automated lanes, and/or systems and methods for managing automated vehicle lanes on urban major and minor expressways.