The readiness of road network and its implications for automated vehicle operations

The emergence of Automated Vehicles (AVs) introduces new challenges and opportunities for transportation networks and the built environment, with their potential impacts broadly investigated over the last decade. However, integrating AVs safely and efficiently into current and near-future road infrastructure represents a significant, yet largely unexplored, challenge. In this context, understanding the infrastructure-related requirements of AVs and their interaction with road infrastructure is crucial to assess the readiness of the existing road networks and prepare them for future developments. As such this thesis aims to evaluate the readiness of existing (or near-future) road infrastructure to support the deployment of AVs. In this regard, the study begins with a comprehensive literature review of the implications of AVs for road infrastructure. Thirteen key topics related to the infrastructure side of vehicle automation have been revealed and discussed, but various critical areas require further exploration through expert insights. Drawing on primary responses from 168 experts across 29 countries, this thesis captures stakeholders’ perspectives on some of these unexplored aspects. Building on this foundation, the thesis then introduces a novel and practical assessment framework to evaluate road network readiness for the operation of highly automated vehicles, taking into consideration the uncertainties in the development of automated driving technologies. By defining two AV capability levels and adopting three potential network scenarios the framework offers a holistic view on the impacts of future deployment strategies and technological advancements on the suitability of current infrastructure for AV operations. Applied empirically in Leeds, United Kingdom, the study demonstrates the framework's practicality, uncovering significant heterogeneity in readiness across the road network. This diversity ranges from highly structured environments with robust support to less structured areas lacking infrastructure, highlighting the complexity of AV integration. Building on the developed readiness index, the study then investigates the impact of heterogeneity in road infrastructure readiness on the usefulness of AVs for urban commuting. Employing a hypothetical scenario where current car commuters have access to AVs for their daily trips, this research explores the possibility of replacing commuting trips with AVs, given the existing levels of infrastructure readiness. The study evaluates the usefulness of AVs for such journeys by examining various road network configurations and AV capabilities. The findings reveal that infrastructure readiness levels significantly impact AV usefulness, showing that infrastructure upgrades are required to accommodate future AV deployment. Overall, the research offers vital insights that contribute to the understanding of AV integration into road networks and support decision-makers and transport planners in developing informed and future-oriented policies, regulations, and guidelines.