Virtual modelling shows driverless cars could cut delays in the future

Driverless cars could significantly reduce delays according to a new study by the Department for Transport (DfT). The project used computer software to create virtual models of different parts of the UK road network including urban roads and a 20km motorway section. Delays and traffic flow were all shown to improve as the proportion of automated vehicles increased above specific levels.
January 9, 2017 Read time: 2 mins

Driverless cars could significantly reduce delays according to a new study by the Department for Transport (DfT).

The project used computer software to create virtual models of different parts of the UK road network including urban roads and a 20km motorway section. Delays and traffic flow were all shown to improve as the proportion of automated vehicles increased above specific levels.

DfT believes the study demonstrates that driverless cars offer major potential benefits when the proportion of them on the road is higher than the proportion of older, more traditional vehicles.

It says the study is an important first step towards understanding the full range of complex effects of these technologies. It paves the way for further trials and research to help ensure the transition to driverless or automated vehicles is safe and beneficial for all.

The study examined different scenarios including the level of automation, the proportion of vehicles equipped with the technology and different automated driving styles. The main findings of the report included that, on major roads where traditional vehicles outnumbered automated vehicles benefits are relatively small, but increase as the percentage of driverless cars on the roads increases. When measuring peak traffic periods with a maximum of up to 100 per cent of driverless vehicles researchers saw journey times reduced by more than 11 per cent and delays cut by more than 40 per cent.

On urban roads benefits were seen in peak traffic periods even with low levels of automated vehicles on roads - benefits include a 12 per cent improvement in delays and a 21 per cent improvement in journey time reliability.

Urban Traffic Control Location Based Systems

Related Content

  • Boost to infrastructure, autonomous cars in UK budget
    March 17, 2016
    The UK chancellor announced in his spring budget what he called the biggest investment, US$87.5 billion (£61 billion), in transport infrastructure in generations and is increasing capital investment in the transport network by 50 per cent over this Parliament compared to the last. The government plans to establish the UK as a global centre for excellence in connected and autonomous vehicles by establishing a US$24.1 million (£15 million) ‘connected corridor’ from London to Dover to enable vehicles to com
    Read More
  • Trials show fuel savings with connected vehicle technology
    December 16, 2015
    American and European trials point to fuel and emissions reductions. A trial by University of California-Riverside (UC-Riverside) has shown connected vehicle technology has the potential to reduce fuel consumption (and therefore emissions) by up to 18% compared with an uninformed driver.
    Read More
  • Car traffic in London is down but congestion is up, says new study
    May 18, 2016
    London Congestion Trends, an in-depth study of the causes of traffic congestion in London between 2012 and 2015 published by Inrix, indicates that congestion in London is increasing, with journey times in Central London growing by 12 per cent annually. Inrix says this is consistent with data that shows that the London economy and population are growing, which normally results in an increase in gridlock. Further, unemployment and fuel prices are down, both of which usually mean a rise in traffic. Despite thi
    Read More
  • ITS homes in on cycling safety
    April 9, 2014
    A new generation of ITS equipment is helping road authorities get to grips with cycle safety – and not a moment too soon as Colin Sowman discovers. Cyclists - remember them? Apparently not. At least not according to the OECD 2013 report Cycling, Health and Safety which contains the statement: ‘Cyclists are often forgotten in the design of the road traffic system’. Looking through the statistics that exist (each country appears to compile them differently) it is not difficult to see how such a conclusion cou
    Read More

Highlighted Content