Modeling and Simulation Based Analysis of Multi-Class Traffic with Look-Ahead Controlled Vehicles

In the paper the modeling and the analysis of the multi-class traffic flow focusing on the cruising of the look-ahead controlled vehicles are presented. The look-ahead controlled vehicles optimize their speed profile based on the energy consumption and traveling time minimization performances, considering the forthcoming terrain characteristics, speed limits and traffic environment. Therefore, the speed profile of the look-ahead controlled vehicles can significantly differ from the speed selection strategy of the conventional vehicles. The increasing number of cruise controlled vehicles can modify the dynamics of the traffic, the average speed and the critical density/speed parameters. Moreover, the cruising of the numerous look-ahead controlled vehicles can have an impact on the energy consumption of the vehicles in the entire traffic. The paper presents the modeling and analysis of the mixed-traffic based on various simulation scenarios. During the analysis VISSIM software is used, with which the effect of the look-ahead vehicles on the traffic is examined. The contribution of the paper can be used in the coordination of the look-ahead controlled vehicles and traffic control systems.