Data Analysis of the FOTs in Tokyo Waterfront City Area

Abstract

In the FOTs in Tokyo Waterfront City area^{(1), (2), (3)}, we validated data for a total of 29,728 intersection traversals to confirm that traffic signal information provided by ITS Roadside Units installed at 33 intersections within the test area could be used to smoothly and safely traverse intersections with traffic signals on general roads by using vehicle-infrastructure cooperative driving automation (of these intersection traversals, roughly 18% were performed by automated driving using traffic signal information). We confirmed that by acquiring and utilizing current traffic signal color information, we could perform automated driving in road transport environments in which traffic signal colors could not be recognized by on-board cameras due to backlighting, direct lighting, rainfall, concealment or obstruction by preceding vehicles or curves, poor nighttime visibility, traffic signals blending into the background, or other factors. Furthermore, in dilemma zones where there is significant variation in intersection traversal judgement results, we confirmed that traffic signal remaining seconds information could be used to safely stop before reaching intersections without sudden deceleration or to safely traverse intersections without sudden acceleration. We believe that in implementing advanced automated driving on general roads, there is potential for the introduction and expansion of safe, smooth automated driving through the use of vehicle-infrastructure cooperation by defining areas where automated vehicles will be used and preparing ITS Roadside Units that cover entire areas and supply traffic signal information.