Modeling Analysis of Automated and Connected Cars in Signalized Intersections

It is acknowledged that many of the problems related to urban congestion can be solved through the diffusion of automated vehicles capable not only of replacing drivers, but also of receiving information from the infrastructure. In this article, the effects of driverless cars (level 3–4 of automation) and of the Green Light Optimal Speed Advisory (GLOSA) system, a particular kind of Cooperative – Intelligent Transport System (C-ITS), will be evaluated at an urban signalized intersection through a set of micro-simulations. The aim of the paper is to analyze the two system as stand-alone before evaluating their jointed implementation, so to obtain their impacts and to analyze if and how they synergize for different levels of market penetration. The results of these simulations demonstrate that automated and connected cars should bring global benefits at intersections and also result in a first set of recommendations and best practices for the implementation of the systems in the short-medium term. Particular focus is given to the interaction between the equipped vehicles and traditional traffic, to frame the negative effects on the overall crossing both in Traffic Efficiency and Environment. Finally, the evaluation of a real crossing in Milan is performed and the results of the overall node are provided for different scenarios and time horizon.