Connected Vehicle Infrastructure University Transportation Center

Field Testing of Eco-Speed Control Using V2I Communication

Final Report

Abstract

The project entitled “Eco-speed control using V2I communication” sponsored by the AERIS program under FHWA’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration and (RITA) and the “Eco-Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control” project laid ample foundation on the feasibility of reducing vehicle fuel consumption levels in the vicinity of signalized intersections when Signal Phasing and Timing (SPaT) information is communicated to approaching vehicles. Informed drivers/vehicles can alter their speed in the vicinity of intersections to minimize idling and in many cases, loss of inertia. Two approaches to this logic were studied using agent-based simulations in MATLAB: (a) Eco-speed control in which an in-vehicle device receives SPaT information, does the calculations and provides instantaneous speed advisories to drivers which, if followed accurately, can benefit the driver by lowering the vehicle fuel consumption and (b) Eco-Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control (ECACC) which uses SPaT information, lead/queued vehicle information and automatically controls the vehicle speed to achieve the “advised fuel-optimum velocity trajectory”. Fuel consumption reductions of up to 23% were found based on simulation studies of a single vehicle.

However, these simulations make simplifying assumptions that may not be realistic, where either the driver perfectly follows the speed advisory or the ECACC is 100% accurate. This is in addition to the neglected uncertainties regarding the DSRC communication and any communication latencies. Field tests are sought for further analysis and research regarding Eco-Speed Control. The Virginia Smart Road Connected Vehicle Test Bed, and potentially the Northern Virginia Connected Vehicle Test Bed, is deemed to be an ideal candidate for this effort.

The objective of the research highlighted in this pre-proposal is to implement the Eco-speed control system using vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication in the Virginia Smart Road Connected Vehicle Test Bed and get hands-on experience with the implementation issues for this system. The proposed experiments are anticipated to give valuable inference regarding the following:

  • Actual benefits sought when eco-speed control or ECACC is implemented and the feasibility of the system.
  • Error functions when a typical driver follows a proposed speed profile.
  • Deviation from the proposed speed profile when an automated cruising unit is used.
  • Human-Machine Interface needed for an eco-speed control unit.
  • Effect of non-test vehicles in the traffic mix on (a) fuel benefits of the test-vehicle and (b) feasibility of speed adjustments.

Highlights

  • Video: https://youtu.be/EcnxTFFEkew
  • The Eco-CACC system computes and recommends a fuel-efficient speed based on Signal Phasing and Timing (SPaT) data received from the traffic signal controller via V2I communication.
  • The computed speed profile can either be broadcasted as an audio alert to the driver to manually control the vehicle, or be implemented in an automated vehicle (AV) to automatically control the vehicle.
  • From an algorithmic standpoint, the proposed algorithm addresses all possible scenarios that a driver may encounter while approaching a signalized intersection. Additionally, from an implementation standpoint the research addresses the challenges associated with communication latency, data errors, real-time computation, and ride smoothness.
  • The system was tested on the Virginia Smart Road Connected Vehicle Test Bed. Four scenarios were tested for each participant, including a base scenario considering an uninformed drive, a scenario that the driver was provided with a red indication countdown, a manual Eco-CACC scenario where the driver to follow an audio recommended speed profile, and finally an automated Eco-CACC scenario that controls the vehicle’s longitudinal motion.
  • The field test demonstrated the benefits of the Eco-CACC system in assisting vehicles to drive smoothly in the vicinity of intersections and therefore reduce the fuel consumption levels.
  • Compared to the uninformed drive, the longitudinally automated Eco-CACC system controlled vehicle resulted in savings in fuel consumption levels and travel times in the range of 37.8 and 9.3 percent, respectively.

Publications

Hao Chen, Hesham A. Rakha, Amara Loulizi, Ihab El-Shawarby and Mohammed Almannaa (2017). Field Implementation of an Eco-cooperative Adaptive Cruise System at Signalized Intersections. 95th Annual Meeting Transportation Research Board, Washington D.C.

Mohammed Almannaa, Hao Chen, Hesham A. Rakha, Amara Loulizi, Ihab El-Shawarby and (2017). Controlled-Field Evaluation of Effectiveness of Infrastructure-to-Vehicle Communication in Reducing Vehicle Fuel Consumption and Delay at Signalized Intersections. 95th Annual Meeting Transportation Research Board, Washington D.C.

Hao Chen, Hesham A. Rakha, Amara Loulizi, Ihab El-Shawarby and Mohammed Almannaa (2016), “Development and Field Testing of an Eco-Speed Control System at Signalized Intersections,” in 20th World Congress on Intelligent Transportation Systems, Melbourne, Australia.

Hao Chen, Hesham A. Rakha, Amara Loulizi, Ihab El-Shawarby and Mohammed Almannaa (2016), “Development and Preliminary Field Testing of an In-Vehicle Eco-Speed Control System in the Vicinity of Signalized Intersections,” in 14th IFAC Symposium on Control in Transportation Systems, Istanbul, Turkey.

Venkat Ala M., Yang H., and Rakha H. (2016), “Sensitivity Analysis of Eco-Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control at Signalized Intersections,” Accepted for publication within the Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board.

Venkat Ala M., Yang H., and Rakha H. (2016), “Sensitivity Analysis of Eco-Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control at Signalized Intersections,” Published within the proceedings of the 95th Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting, Washington DC, January 10-14. [Paper # 16-2891].

Yang H., Ala V.M., and Rakha H. (2016), “Eco-Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control at Signalized Intersections Considering Queue Effects,” Published within the proceedings of the 95th Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting, Washington DC, January 10-14. [Paper # 16-1593].

Kamalanathsharma R., Rakha H., and Zohdy I. (2015), “Survey on In-vehicle Technology Use: Results and Findings,” International Journal of Transportation Science and Technology, vol 4(2), pp. 135-150.

Kamalanathsharma R., Rakha H. and Yang H. (2015), “Network-wide Impacts of Vehicle Eco-Speed Control in the Vicinity of Traffic Signalized Intersections,” Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board.

Kamalanathsharma R. (2014), “Eco-Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control: Modeling, Testing and Evaluation,” Ph.D. Dissertation, Virginia Tech.

Kamalanathsharma R. and Rakha H. (2014), “Leveraging Connected Vehicle Technology and Telematics to Enhance Vehicle Fuel Efficiency in the Vicinity of Signalized Intersections,” Journal of Intelligent Transportation Systems: Technology, Planning, and Operations.

Kamalanathsharma R. and Rakha H. (2014), “Agent-Based Simulation of Eco-Speed Controlled Vehicles at Signalized Intersections,” Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, Issue 2427, pp. 1-12.

Kamalanathsharma R. and Rakha H. (2014), Agent-Based Simulation of Eco-Speed Controlled Vehicles at Signalized Intersections,” Published within the proceedings of the 93rd Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting, Washington DC, January 12-16, CD-ROM [Paper # 14-1028].

Kamalanathsharma R. and Rakha H. (2014), “Fuel-Optimal Vehicle Throttle Control: Model Logic and Preliminary Testing,” Published within the proceedings of the 93rd Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting, Washington DC, January 12-16, CD-ROM [Paper # 14-0433].

Kamalanathsharma R., Rakha H., and (2014), “Simulation Testing of Connected Vehicle Applications in a Cloud-based Traffic Simulation Environment,” Published within the proceedings of the 93rd Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting, Washington DC, January 12-16, CD-ROM [Paper # 14-4260].

Presentations

Hao Chen, Hesham A. Rakha, Amara Loulizi, Mohammed Almannaa and Ihab El-Shawarby (2016). Development and Field Testing of an Eco-Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control System in the Vicinity of Signalized Intersections. Presented at ITS America, San Jose, CA, June 12-16.

Venkat Ala M., Yang H., and Rakha H. (2016), “Sensitivity Analysis of Eco-Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control at Signalized Intersections,” Presented at the 95th Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting, Washington DC, January 10-14. [Paper # 16-2891].

Yang H., Ala V.M., and Rakha H. (2016), “Eco-Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control at Signalized Intersections Considering Queue Effects,” Presented at the 95th Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting, Washington DC, January 10-14. [Paper # 16-1593].

Kamalanathsharma R. and Rakha H. (2014), Agent-Based Simulation of Eco-Speed Controlled Vehicles at Signalized Intersections,” Presented at the 93rd Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting, Washington DC, January 12-16, CD-ROM [Paper # 14-1028].

Kamalanathsharma R. and Rakha H. (2014), “Fuel-Optimal Vehicle Throttle Control: Model Logic and Preliminary Testing,” Presented at the 93rd Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting, Washington DC, January 12-16, CD-ROM [Paper # 14-0433].

Kamalanathsharma R., Rakha H., and (2014), “Simulation Testing of Connected Vehicle Applications in a Cloud-based Traffic Simulation Environment,” Presented at the 93rd Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting, Washington DC, January 12-16, CD-ROM [Paper # 14-4260].

Project Information

Start date: 2012/9/3
End date: 2013/9/2
Status: Active
Contract/Grant Number: 0031370150000
Secondary Number: 54-6001805
Total Dollars: $150,000
Source Organization: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg
Date Added: 08/20/2012

Sponsor Organization

Research and Innovative Technology Administration
University Transportation Centers Program
Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
USA

UTC Grant Manager

Harwood, Leslie
Phone: 540-231-9530
Email: lharwood@vtti.vt.edu

Performing Organization

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg
Virginia Tech Transportation Institute
3500 Transportation Research Plaza
Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
USA

Research Investigators

Kishore, Raj
Rakha, Hesham

Subjects

Operations and Traffic Management
Safety and Human Factors
Vehicles and Equipment
Transportation (General)
Environment

More Information

RiP URL
Project Poster
TriD Format