Real-World Evaluation of Dynamic Eco-Driving Connected Vehicle Technology on an Arterial Roadway with Semi-Actuated Signals

There are numerous strategies that are being explored to reduce fuel consumption and the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by the transportation sector. One of these strategies revolves around optimizing driving behaviour, especially in the vicinity of signalized intersections. Real-world testing of EcoDrive, a connected vehicle application, was conducted over a period of months on an arterial roadway with semi-actuated and connected traffic signals. Green light optimal speed advisories and other velocity planning messages were communicated by means of two -way wireless network connectivity to drivers based on the current vehicle position and real-time signal phase information. Vehicle positioning, at a single second resolution, was used to estimate emissions by way of a state of the art emission modeling software. A reduction in carbon dioxide equivalent emissions of 9.62% and a 9.64% fuel savings were observed while travel time was not significantly altered.