Assessing Roadway Infrastructure for Future Connected and Automated Vehicle Deployment in California

Research Team: Guoyuan Wu (lead), Zhensong Wei, David Oswald, Peng Hao, and Matthew Barth

UC Campus(es): 

Additional Research Partners: UC Riverside

Problem Statement: With the emergence of innovative mobility services and technologies such as Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAVs) and transportation electrification, it has become more challenging for public agencies to plan and prioritize the addition of new infrastructure. Some typical questions for urban roadway infrastructure may include: 1) what infrastructure upgrades and improvements, from both hardware and software perspectives, are needed to support CAV deployment? 2) What benefits can be gained through the investment? And 3) what communication technology should be used for connected vehicles, digital short-range communications or cellular-based communications?

Project Description: For this project, the research team: a) conducted an inventory California’s CAV testing facilities and testbeds; b) collaborated with the City of Riverside to upgrade communication capabilities along the Riverside Innovation Corridor and enable both dedicated short range communications (DSRC) and cellular-based communications; c) developed an innovative connected eco-approach and departure (EAD) application for actuated signalized corridors; and d) conducted field operational tests to assess the costs and benefits from infrastructure upgrades. The research shows that despite relatively slower communication time compared to DSRC, cellular-based communications can provide additional benefits to vehicles equipped with eco-driving CAV applications such as EAD, due to its greater communication range. Furthermore, broadcasting Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services correction messages is a cost-effective solution to improving positioning accuracy for equipped vehicles.

Status: Completed

Budget: $89,920