MULTI-LANE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR PLATOONS OF AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES

A traffic management system for multi-lane roads that manages all traffic on dedicated lanes to achieve much higher rates of traffic flow compared to existing freeways. Managed lanes consist entirely of platoons of autonomous vehicles that have a regular, repeating structure. Intra-platoon and inter-platoon spacing is tightly controlled to increase vehicle density. Vehicle speeds differ on different lanes, which greatly simplifies lane changes since vehicles can wait until an open slot on an adjacent lane lines up with the vehicle before changing lanes, thereby eliminating traffic disruption. Trucks may be allowed only on certain lanes, so that cars-only lanes can move at higher speeds with tighter vehicle packing. Platoons in each lane consist of a fixed number of slots of fixed length; vehicles may occupy one or more slots. An unmanaged lane is reserved for manually drive vehicles and for vehicles entering and exiting the road.