Automation of a T-intersection Using Virtual Platoons of Cooperative Autonomous Vehicles

Both traffic throughput and the vehicle passenger safety can be increased by automating road intersections. We propose the virtual platooning concept to ensure a smooth, efficient and safe traffic flow through an automated intersection. The virtual platoon is formed by defining a virtual inter-vehicle distance between vehicles driving on different lanes. Such distance is employed by a Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control (CACC) system which, in turn, generates the required safe "gaps" for the vehicles to cross the intersection. A simulation study demonstrates the functionality of the presented methodology, which is referred to as Cooperative Intersection Control (CIC).