Work

Impact Assessment of Integrating AVs in Optimizing Urban Traffic Operations for Sustainable Transportation Planning in Riyadh

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Integrating autonomous vehicles (AVs) into urban traffic systems presents significant opportunities for optimizing traffic flow, reducing congestion, and enhancing transportation efficiency. This study proposes a comprehensive framework that combines mathematical optimization techniques, policy planning, and AV adoption modeling to improve urban mobility. Using Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) Optimization methods, the research fine-tunes traffic signal timings, dynamically allocates green time, and enhances intersection coordination to maximize throughput. The study evaluates the impact of AV penetration on traffic flow efficiency, congestion reduction, and infrastructure readiness using real-world urban data from Riyadh. The results indicate that AV integration leads to a 40% increase in traffic throughput, a 60% reduction in congestion levels, and a 45% improvement in infrastructure readiness, highlighting the effectiveness of AV-driven traffic optimization strategies. Additionally, policy interventions aimed at reducing legal constraints and increasing societal acceptance contribute to the successful implementation of AV technology. The findings provide a data-driven roadmap for city planners and policymakers, demonstrating how a well-structured AV deployment strategy can significantly enhance urban transportation efficiency.

Source: World Electric Vehicle Journal

DOI: 10.3390/wevj16050246

Author: Nawaf Mohamed Alshabibi

Institution: Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University

Language: English

Topic: Traffic control and management

Subfield: Control and Systems Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,689