Eco-driving applications for automated vehicles can reduce CO2 emissions by 20 percent, and decrease CO, NOx, and HC emissions by over 60 percent at intersections.

Evaluation of eco-driving strategies to reduce emissions near intersections.

Date Posted
02/06/2018
Identifier
2018-B01238
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Advancing Eco-driving Strategies for Drivers and Automated Vehicles Traveling within Intersection Vicinities

Summary Information

Transportation consumes substantial energy and is the second largest source of Carbon dioxide emissions in the United States. Aggressive driving is identified as a main factor contributing to vehicle emissions. Improving the behavior of drivers, especially near intersections, may reduce emissions. Eco-driving may help, eco-driving refers to a range of driving actions, associated with driving behavior and driving habits, that can reduce vehicle emissions and fuel consumption.



This study had three objectives: (1) develop real-time eco-driving algorithms to be used in normal vehicles to advise drivers of their behavior and to be applied in automated vehicles traveling in the vicinity of intersections; (2) examine the most effective eco-driving advising strategies among audio and visual in-vehicle systems at different frequencies for drivers; and (3) evaluate potential emission mitigations of eco-driving strategies for automated vehicles approaching intersections under different traffic conditions.



Methodology



Two eco-driving models using different audio and visual advising strategies are tested in a driving simulator environment with human participants. The eco-driving model for autonomous vehicles was tested in a VISSIM simulation. The MOVES tool was used to estimate vehicle emissions for all simulations.

Findings

Real-time eco-driving suggestions are effective for automated vehicles. Under the same vehicle-to-capacity ratio, automated vehicles can generate less emissions than normal vehicles. The results indicated that eco-driving reduced Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 20 percent, and reduced Carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of Nitrogen (NOx), and hydrocarbons (HC) emissions by over 60 percent.