Future Roundabouts Relying on 5G, Edge Computing and Artificial Intelligence

The paper focuses on the behaviour of cooperative, connected and automated vehicles (CCAVs) with the aim of improving traffic flow and safety and providing adequate comfort to vehicle occupants. The study is part of AI@Edge project, founded by the Horizon Europe framework programme. AI@Edge focuses on leveraging AI and Edge computing to enhance 5G networks. The simulation environment is a single-lane mini-roundabout, calibrated on the basis of experimental measurements to accurately replicate the behaviour of human-driven vehicles. A cooperative Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) policy, exploiting Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO), was developed to optimize the behaviour of CCAVs while negotiating the roundabout. To assess the effectiveness of this policy, a dynamic driving simulator coupled with a microscopic traffic simulator and a graphical simulator was employed. This comprehensive approach included both simulated human-driven vehicles (HDs) and CCAVs, alongside a real human driver. Tests indicate that human drivers respond positively to scenarios with a higher percentage of automated vehicles, due to an enhanced sense of safety and comfort. Quantitative analysis of the policy also demonstrates the capability of CCAVs to reduce fuel consumption and optimize traffic flow.