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

  • Driverless vehicles will cause changes in society
    May 31, 2013
    Paul Godsmark gives his views on what the advent of autonomous vehicles would mean for the wider society. Further to your article ‘Driver not required…’ in the Jan/Feb edition of ITS International which gave some great background to autonomous road vehicle (ARVs), I feel that the bigger picture is needed to aid understanding. There is a ‘technology freight train’ heading our way that is going to transform our roadways but we don’t seem to be aware of it and, therefore, are in no hurry to react.
    Read More
  • UK motorists ‘relax attitudes’ on distracted driving
    September 15, 2016
    Research for the RAC’s Report on Motoring 2016 has revealed that for some, attitudes towards handheld mobile use have worryingly relaxed over the last two years. The proportion of people who feel it is acceptable to take a quick call on a handheld phone has doubled from seven per cent in 2014 to 14 per cent in 2016 and the percentage of drivers who feel it is safe to check social media on their phone when in stationary traffic, either at traffic lights or in congestion, has increased from 14 per cent in
    Read More
  • Timing is everything for EV charging
    January 23, 2020
    Electric vehicles are often promoted as a more sustainable alternative to diesel and petrol cars - but their arrival raises concerns about the strain which charging will put on the grid.
    Read More
  • AVs and poor weather – a bad mix
    May 11, 2020
    The US DoT has produced a report on how adverse weather and road conditions will affect automated vehicles – it found inconsistency between different cars with these features which are already on highways and suggests limitations are not yet understood
    Read More

Highlighted Content