Assessing the Impact of Adverse Weather on Performance and Safety of Connected and Autonomous Vehicles

Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs) might significantly enhance the transportation system by improving safety, accessibility, efficiency, and sustainability. However, a major challenge lies in ensuring CAVs can operate properly under diverse weather conditions, which have already proven to impair human driving capabilities. This pioneering study aims to bridge a crucial research gap by comprehensively assessing the performance of CAVs on traffic operations and safety across varying weather scenarios. Using microscopic traffic simulation in VISSIM and the Surrogate Safety Assessment Model (SSAM), this study evaluates key metrics, including average speed, delay, number of stops, travel time, and number of conflicts for different CAV market penetration rates. The analysis spans 21 scenarios under clear, light rain, heavy rain, and foggy conditions within a selected urban corridor in the United Arab Emirates. The results showed that the average speed rose by 55% in clear weather, while the average delay, the number of stops, travel time, and the number of accidents decreased by 50%, 50%, 95%, and 68%, respectively. In light rain, the average speed improved by 43%, while the average delay, number of stops, travel time, and the number of accidents reduced by 43%, 56%, 96%, and 74%, respectively. The average speed increased by 82% under heavy rain, while the average delay, the number of stops, the travel time, and the number of accidents all fell by 62%, 68%, 96%, and 74%, respectively. In fog, the average speed rose by 32%, while the average delay, average stop number, travel time, and the number of accidents decreased by 33%, 47%, 90%, and 83%, respectively. Overall, this paper highlights the need for resilient CAV systems adaptable to diverse environmental conditions. It helps advance the understanding of how CAVs can be optimized for safety and efficiency in urban settings, contributing to sustainable transportation solutions. It provides insights into the challenges and innovative approaches for CAV deployment in adverse weather, laying a foundation for future research and the broader implementation of these technologies in urban mobility. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2024-010-09-019 Full Text: PDF