Evaluation of transportation impacts arising from ACC system deployment

This paper presents a preliminary analysis of selected speed and headway data collected during a portion of the advanced cruise control (ACC) Field Operational Test (FOT) that is being conducted in southeastern Michigan. Data collected during a structured pilot testing period, in combination with data from sample FOT drivers, were used to develop an understanding of driver and traffic flow behavior both in the absence and presence of the ACC system. An Autoscope^TM video imaging unit was used to assess the underlying car-following behavior of the traffic stream, while sample FOT data was analyzed to assess the potential impact of the ACC system on classical traffic flow theory. Given this improved understanding of traffic flow behavior, a microscopic traffic simulation model will be calibrated to assess the transportation impacts of increased market penetration of the ACC system