Human factors in modelling mixed traffic of traditional, connected, and automated vehicles

Abstract

Connected and automated vehicle technologies are widely expected to revolutionize transport systems, enhancing the mobility and quality of life while reducing the environmental impact. However, in the foreseeable future, connected and automated vehicles will have to co-exist with traditional vehicles, indicating a great research need of modelling mixed traffic flow. In few attempts of modelling mixed traffic flow recently, human factors are largely ignored, despite their critical roles in understanding traffic flow dynamics and effective operation and control of this mixed traffic flow. To properly investigate the role of human factors in mixed traffic, we have designed a series of experiments using a high-fidelity driving simulator. Complementary information is collected using questionnaires. This study can assist in developing accurate, realistic, and robust microscopic traffic flow models.