Pulse–Glide Behavior in Emerging Mixed Traffic Flow Under Sensor Accuracy Variations: An Energy-Safety Perspective

Pulse and Glide (PnG), as a fuel-saving technique, has primarily been applied to manual transmission vehicles. So, its effectiveness when integrated with a novel vehicle type like connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) remains largely unexplored. On the other hand, CAVs have evidently received less attention regarding energy conservation, and their prominent perception capabilities clearly exhibit individual variations. In light of this, this study investigates the impacts of PnG combined with CAVs on energy conservation and safety within the emerging mixed traffic flow composed of CAVs with varying sensing accuracies. The results indicate the following: (i) compared to the traditional driving modes, the PnG can achieve a maximum fuel-saving rate of 39.53% at Fuel Consumption with Idle (FCI), reducing conflicts by approximately 30% on average; (ii) CAVs, equipped with sensors boasting a greater detection range, markedly enhance safety during vehicle operation and contribute to a more uniform distribution of individual fuel consumption; (iii) PnG modes with moderate acceleration, such as 1-2 m/s², can achieve excellent fuel consumption while ensuring safety and may even slightly enhance the operational efficiency of the intersection. The findings could provide a theoretical reference for the transition of transportation systems toward sustainability.