Optimizing Lane Configuration for Efficient Platoon Control During Lane Closures

In the era of connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs), optimizing transportation infrastructure is crucial to unlock the full potential of connected and autonomous technology (CAT), particularly in the context of advanced operations like platooning. Considering the case, this study focused on infrastructure modifications, with a specific focus on low-automation CAVs. The study employed PTV VISSIM to model a variety of scenarios on a freeway segment, considering six distinct lane configuration scenarios, varying market penetration rates (MPRs), and factors such as platoon allowance/restriction within a 1-mi buffer upstream of lane closures, as well as open or closed lane conditions (dedicated lanes). The findings revealed that, for a two-lane segment, restricting platoons to open lanes and allowing them on upstream 1-mi resulted in a 28% reduction in the total number of conflicts, with time-to-collision (TTC) serving as the conflict indicator. The worst-case scenario involves allowing platoons without any lane restrictions, leading to a substantial increase in conflicts at higher MPRs.