Overview
The upcoming operation of automated vehicles on public roads (in a first step on motorways and express roads, afterwards on secondary roads) will have deep impacts in mid and long term on road infrastructure. As part of the initial analysis study (Sondierung) which is conducted by an interdisciplinary project team several different topics will be analysed. Architecture will be developed for technical, organizational, operational and psychological components of automated vehicles. That includes requirements in terms of a real time operation under different weather conditions, required investments of the road operators and corresponding consequences for administrations as well as conclusions regarding the new role of vehicle occupants.
Research activities regarding the impact of different weather conditions on the operation of automated vehicles are urgently required. Initial technologies for the self-contained operation of vehicles can be expected in short term and will provide relief and support for drivers during normal conditions. Their utilisability under different weather conditions as well as interdependencies will be analysed as part of the project by use of exemplary test drives. Consequently, statements can be derived concerning the required information provision of the surrounding infrastructure as well as technical settings. In addition to these test drives the role of a current and reliable traffic graph will be assessed. General and data content specific (e.g. road characteristics) requirements will be compiled.
A crucial aspect that has so far been neglected during the development of automated vehicles lies within the evaluation of the psychological components. In order to address these especially during the transition period with vehicles with different levels of automatization - an evaluation is carried out regarding the consequences and impacts of the operation of automated vehicles on their future occupants. For purposes of traffic capacity impact assessment resulting from the operation of automated vehicles a manual will be developed for micro simulation exercises taking into consideration comparable parameters and initial programming tests for different case definition. Finally, basic conditions will be defined for the operation of automated vehicles in different areas of the public road network. Furthermore, a framework will be set for follow up research activities that includes strategies to acquire vehicle manufactures and infrastructure operators as potential project partners. During the study implementation two coordination meetings will be held with FFG and experts from different organizational units in order to meet thematic demands and ensure project practicability.