Crash-conflict models suggests a 50 percent AV market penetration rate can reduce crashes at four-legged signalized intersections by 24 percent.

University research in Toronto, Canada.

Date Posted
08/13/2018
Identifier
2018-B01287
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Using Microsimulation to Evaluate the Impact of Automated Vehicles on Safety Performance of Signalized Intersections

Summary Information

This study used a micro-simulation model to generate simulated traffic conflicts as indicators of potential crashes at signalized intersections in Toronto, Canada in the presence of automated vehicles (AV) at various penetration levels.



METHODOLOGY



Seventy-eight (78) 4-legged signalized intersections from the city of Toronto were first modelled in the SYNCHRO software. Ten random runs for 3600 seconds (representing peak hour) were simulated for each intersection. The steps mentioned above were applied to the three penetration levels of automated vehicles investigated (0%AV, 50%AV and 100%AV).

All automated vehicles were assumed to have the same level of automation (Level 3 per NHTSA definitions).

FINDINGS



The results indicate that intersection safety may improve in the presence of AVs. However, the safety effects of treatments (intersection design and signal timing treatments for turning movements) may be reduced compared to the effects with no AVs. The implication is that the imminent introduction of AVs should be considered in developing priorities for future intersection improvements. The data in the table below were excerpted from the source report.



Crashes per intersection-year at various AV market penetration levels as estimated from crash-conflict models.

 

Percentage market penetration

Total crashes using

total conflicts

(% reduction)

Injury crashes using

total conflicts

(% reduction)

Angle crashes using

crossing conflicts

(% reduction)

Rear-end crashes using

rear end

(% reduction)

0%

33.94

(0%)

7.42

(0%)

5.36

(0%)

10.60

(0%)

50%

25.66

(24%)

5.81

(22%)

5.30

(1%)

7.64

(28%)

100%

24.74

(27%)

5.62

(24%)

5.37

(0%)

7.23

(32%)

Goal Areas
Deployment Locations