The optimal ranges of traffic flow and capacity will be determined for selected scenarios, in which different proportions of automated and conventional traffic will operate simultaneously in an automated highway system (AHS). It is found that there will be a substantial increase in the net benefit and the traffic flow and capacity ranges when there is a higher proportion of AHS traffic. The optimal range of capacity refers to the maximum range of traffic volumes, for which there will be some net benefit, which is the difference between the total cost and the total benefit for each flow. The total cost represents the production and operating costs of the infrastructure and the expenditure borne by the user, whereas the total benefit refers to the time saving to the user. It is concluded that more AHS vehicles should be produced in order to achieve economic efficiency, improved traffic capacity, and safety in travel.
Traffic Flow Control in Automated Highway Systems 1
