Cost/Benefit Analysis of Fuel Efficient Speed Control Using Signal Phasing and Timing (SPaT) Data: Evaluation for Future Connected Corridor Deployment

Status:  Complete
Report Date:  03/13/2023

Summary:

Connected Corridor project developed and deployed technology to lay the groundwork for connected vehicles (CV). With vehicle-to-infrastructure communication, cars can receive data about upcoming traffic signals, including when they are likely to change. If the CV has adaptive cruise control or other automated speed control, it can use the signal messages to adjust speed, avoiding unnecessary stopping and starting. This driving behavior can decrease fuel consumption. After retrofitting cars with technology to communicate with the corridor infrastructure, researchers test-drove the cars through intersections to collect data on signals, speeds and traffic conditions. Combined with laboratory simulations and computer modeling, these efforts allowed researchers to estimate fuel savings when varying levels of CVs were driving the corridors. Comparing these benefits to the costs of deploying the signal messaging technology in more intersections will help MnDOT make informed choices on future investments.

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