An Automatic Highway System (AHS) is a system in which vehicle control on a freeway is taken over partly or entirely by an automatic system. Such a system might improve safety and traffic flow as well as driver comfort. This report presents seven AHS configurations which differ in complexity and implementability and which can be used when AHS is gradually introduced. The main characteristics and the major potential problems of each configuration are briefly discussed. The main unclarities appear to concern effects on traffic safety, both with normal operation of the system and in emergency situations, and consequences for road capacity and travel time. Finally, a global research programme is proposed which focuses especially on the safety and human-machine aspects of AHS. (A)
Abstract