Guidelines for the use of accelerated pavement testing data in autonomous vehicle infrastructure research

Abstract

There is much research conducted on the vehicle technologies required for operation of autonomous vehicles (AV) on public roads, as well as analysis of the interaction between AV and the road environment. However, limited research exists on the impact of AV on road pavement structures. The research includes issues such as the effect of more channelized traffic loading, shorter inter-vehicle following distances and potential higher traffic volumes of more uniform vehicle types and loads. This paper discusses the application of existing and generation of new, relevant accelerated pavement testing (APT) data in understanding the effects of AV on pavement infrastructure. The paper presents development of provisional guidelines for the use and application of APT data to ensure that road pavement structures cope with anticipated increase in AV use. It is concludes that the use of AV fleets on existing road pavement infrastructure may lead to different behaviors and responses than what became the norm under non-autonomous vehicle fleets; appropriate analysis of existing APT data will contribute to the improved understanding of these expected changes in behaviors and responses; appropriate planning of AV operations- focused APT is possible with existing technology to contribute to the provision of economic and durable road pavement infrastructure in future.