Safety Impact Evaluation of a Narrow-Automated Vehicle-Exclusive Reversible Lane on I-15

LLG in collaboration with San Diego State University (SDSU) STAR LAB developed a Technical Research Paper to further study the effect of the emerging Automated Vehicle (AV) technology on infrastructure standards. The main objective of this research was to evaluate implications of an innovative infrastructure solution, exclusive AV lanes, for safe and efficient integration of AVs into an existing transportation system. Examining a real-world case study, this project investigated implications of adding a narrow reversible AV exclusive lane to the existing configuration of I-15 expressway in San Diego, resulting in a 9-feet AV reversible lane, and in both directions, two 12-feet lanes for HOV and HOT vehicles. Recommendations and guidelines from the results of the study were developed that are usable for practitioners and professional organizations pertaining to AV development.