Using DSRC to Enhance Signal Control: Testing at FDOT’s TERL Facility

On May 24-25, 2017, the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) funded project team AVIAN (http://avian.essie.ufl.edu/) to test new algorithms that were developed to optimize connected and highly automated vehicle trajectories when approaching a signal. The team includes researchers from the University of Florida Transportation Institute (UFTI), representing the Departments of Civil and Coastal Engineering (CCE), Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE), and Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE). The testing was conducted at FDOT’s Traffic Engineering Research Laboratory (TERL) in Tallahassee, Florida, which consists of a closed course with two signalized intersections. For a video clip and pictures from the testing effort, visit http://avian.essie.ufl.edu/gallery/terl-test/.

The team’s primary goal was to test the different components of vehicle-to-vehicle, as well as vehicle-to-infrastructure communication so that connected and automated vehicles can operate in a mixed traffic stream where conventional vehicles are also present. The team tested radar and DSRC communications between vehicles and the signalized intersection, as well as the performance of an algorithm developed by the team, which provides optimal signal timings and optimal vehicle trajectories. Further development and testing is expected to refine the algorithms and ultimately begin testing at a real-world intersection. The UFTI and the AVIAN team are thankful for the assistance provided by the FDOT TERL staff during the testing, and they wish to acknowledge Mr. Carl Morse and Ms. Elizabeth Birriel for their assistance and hospitality.