Loughborough University scientists are to work with Highways England in a £1 million project aimed at ensuring the country’s motorways can accommodate connected and autonomous vehicles vehicles.
Researchers will look at operations at roadworks, lane changing, junction manoeuvres and lane markings to understand the challenges CAVs may face.
The project, named CAVIAR (Connected and Autonomous Vehicles: Infrastructure Appraisal Readiness), is being carried out in partnership with construction company, Galliford Try. CAVIAR was announced as a winner in a Highways England innovation competiton last year.
The people behind the project say the ability of CAVs to operate fully autonomously may not be entirely contained within the vehicle technology due to the inherent complexity in the roadway infrastructure.
In addition, weather conditions may limit the ability of on-board sensors to detect road markings, configurations, traffic and road conditions.
Professor of Intelligent Transport Systems, Mohammed Quddus, the principal investigator on the project, and also of ABCE, said, “To date there is significant investment and advancement in Connected and Autonomous Vehicles.
“It is, however, not known whether existing road infrastructure, which was designed for conventional vehicles, is ready for the safe and efficient operations of CAVs [and] CAVIAR addresses this.”
