August 1997

---

Automated Highway Systems Go Live at Demo '97

Passengers of the Demo '97 scenario rides currently taking place on I-15 in San Diego are some of the first in the world to experience the range of automated highway system (AHS) technologies in a real-time/real-world setting -- from driver assist modes to fully automated travel. Demo '97 is the National AHS Consortium Technical Feasibility Demonstration being held August 7 through 10, where transportation decisionmakers are taking a look at the future of highway travel with a series of live demonstrations of AHS technologies.

Demo '97 is showcasing these technologies by demonstrating their near-term applications to improve highway safety and efficiency, including several on-lane scenario demonstrations and a nearby exposition.

There will be six on-lane demonstration scenarios: (1) Free-Agent, Multi-Platform Scenario; (2) Platooning Scenario; (3) Maintenance Scenario; (4) Control Transition Scenario; (5) Alternative Technology Scenario; and (6) Evolutionary Scenario. The on-lane scenario rides are being given on the reversible high-occupancy vehicle lanes of I-15, using a variety of current model passenger vehicles. The rides show currently available and emerging advanced vehicle control and safety system technologies that will be the building blocks of an AHS prototype.

The exposition center details the potential benefits and near-term options of AHS technologies through exhibits, automated vehicle and equipment displays, computer simulations, vehicle demonstrations, presentations, and literature.

The use of AHS technologies should lead to improved safety by helping drivers detect and avoid obstacles and by communicating with other vehicles to enable coordinated maneuvering. AHS technologies will improve efficiency by reducing erratic acceleration, deceleration, and lane changing, and eliminate uneven traffic flow.
-- Dick Bishop,

---

Stopping Congestion in its RT-TRACS

	RT-TRACS is an attempt to alleviate congestion.

FHWA is developing a system to improve traffic control by performing signal optimization in real time. The most fundamental requirement of this system is to effectively manage and respond to rapid variations in traffic conditions. To accomplish this goal, a system known as the Real-Time Traffic Adaptive Signal Control Strategy (RT-TRACS) is being developed and implemented jointly by FHWA and PB Farradyne.

RT-TRACS is a concept that will eventually provide regional traffic control by operating various control strategies concurrently. RT-TRACS consists of a number of real-time control prototypes that each function optimally under different traffic and geometric conditions. When conditions dictate, RT-TRACS can automatically switch to another appropriate strategy.

Five prototypes are being developed and evaluated for use in the RT- TRACS program. Kaman Sciences Corporation is responsible for evaluating these prototypes. The CORSIM simulation model is being used to evaluate these prototypes in the laboratory. Three of these prototypes, the RHODES prototype from the University of Arizona, OPAC from PB Farradyne, and RTACL from the University of Pittsburgh, are at an advanced state of development.

The results of the laboratory evaluation of the RHODES prototype have indicated an improvement in delay, stops, and fuel consumption to the tune of 24 percent, 9 percent, and 6 percent, respectively, while maintaining the same throughput as the baseline case. A 16-intersection arterial in Reston, VA, has been selected for the field implementation, and instrumentation of the arterial is in progress. Based on the conceptual evaluation of the prototypes and the initial results of the laboratory evaluation, the field implementation is expected to be a resounding success.
-- Jim Clark,