Enhancing Automated Vehicle Operation and Safety on Rural Roads and Underserved Areas: Challenges and Innovative Solutions

The potential of connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) to revolutionize transportation is undeniable. However, unlocking this potential requires addressing the unique challenges posed by rural roads. Rigorous testing and innovative solutions are key to enhancing CAV safety in these challenging environments. The proposed project will provide safe mobility and accessibility to underserved and minority populations in rural road areas. Given the operational challenges of CAVs in such settings, the project will 1) develop a conceptual framework by synthesizing the literature on CAV algorithms, 2) develop a CAV testing plan in rural settings utilizing a unique CAV-in-the-loop simulation setup, 3) engage in software development for simulation using CARLA and OpenPilot software, and 4) analyze the results and provide innovative solutions to address challenges, such as adverse weather conditions, complex terrain, hazard classification, and limited sensor range, to improve CAV performance on rural roads.

• Record URL:
  https://www.cr2c2.com/research/major-research-initiatives/mri-2/project-r2-4
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Project R2-4

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $150000
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3552348304

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  Center for Regional and Rural Connected Communities

  North Carolina A&T State University
  Greensboro, NC  United States  27411
• Project Managers:

  Chakraborty, Subhadeep

• Performing Organizations:

  University of Tennessee, Knoxville

  Knoxville, TN  United States 
• Principal Investigators:

  Chakraborty, Subhadeep

  Khattak, Asad

• Start Date: 20240115
• Expected Completion Date: 20250114
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers Program

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Autonomous vehicles; Connected vehicles; Hardware in the loop simulation; Rural highways; Software; Traffic safety
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01920242
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Center for Regional and Rural Connected Communities
• Contract Numbers: 69A3552348304
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: May 30 2024 6:21PM