A Study of Traffic Operations under Conditions with Autonomous Buses

This study looks at traffic operations on a major road with autonomous buses. In this study, current traffic conditions are analyzed, and a traffic simulation model is created to compare scenarios with and without autonomous buses. Necessary data are collected on Phahon Yothin Road in the inbound direction, near the bus stop opposite Chatuchak Park. The data is then processed and imported into the VISSIM program to simulate the scenarios in which all normal buses are changed to autonomous buses. The car-following parameters used for normal vehicles in the VISSIM model are based on the Wiedemann 99 model, and the parameters for autonomous buses are based on CoEXist All-knowing. Results for the scenarios with and without autonomous vehicles are statistically compared for the changes in traffic operations performance, including speed and travel delay. This study found that overall traffic conditions tend to improve after replacing all public buses with autonomous public buses. There was a 24 percent decrease in queue delays and a 15 percent increase in vehicle speed, and the travel time of vehicles on the road was reduced compared to before. It was found that the use of unmanned buses As a result, overall traffic delays were reduced by 53 percent, the average number of stops decreased by 20 percent, and delays decreased by 17 percent, and bus stop delays decreased by 50 percent, the average number of stops increased by 8 percent, and delays decreased by 10 percent.