Eastlink autonomous trials paving the way forward

ConnectEast, the operator of Melbourne's EastLink toll road, has revealed in a statement that autonomous vehicle testing is already in progress on the road system, which shuttles traffic between Mitcham and Frankston.

"Vehicles with advanced driver-assistance technology are now being released in Australia," says Doug Spencer-Roy, Corporate Affairs & Marketing Manager for EastLink.

"Within the next few years, once legislative changes are made, we expect vehicle manufacturers will activate hands-off-the-wheel driving capabilities on EastLink and other suitable freeways. These EastLink trials are producing practical results that will assist with that transition to hands-off-the-wheel driving."

The EastLink trials are not to be confused with the recently announced program to be conducted by Victoria's other toll road operator, Transurban, on the CityLink system, although EastLink connects with CityLink at the Monash Freeway and e-tag tolling is shared by both operators. Two partners – VicRoads and RACV – are involved in both trials.

Other partners in the EastLink testing are the Australian Road Research Board (ARRB) and La Trobe University. The seven car companies involved to date are: BMW, Honda, Mazda, Mercedes, Mitsubishi, Volvo and Tesla. Lexus makes number eight, and Audi and Toyota will follow shortly after that.

All the vehicles are deemed to be 'Level Two' autonomous vehicles, which is defined as "partial automation". With the driver's hands (or at least one hand) required on the tiller at all times, Level Two does automate some steering, acceleration and braking functions. Under this regime, autonomous emergency braking and adaptive cruise control certainly fall within the definition. A feature like lane-keep assist appears to be one that straddles the line between level two and level three, depending on how loose the definition is for keeping hands on the steering wheel at all time.

Some of the cars taking part in the EastLink trial are essentially Level Three-capable, but are held back by bureaucratic and regulatory constraints. EastLink believes Level Three will only be possible once the toll road network has in place V2X infrastructure ('Vehicle to anything') to communicate deteriorating road conditions ahead to the cars in the network.

To date, the EastLink trial has already revealed some changes the operator must undertake for the network to be compatible with current and future autonomous vehicles. Line markings are one such example. Apart from the lack of 'reflectivity and luminosity', the line markings are also frequently non-contiguous, which can lead to lane-keeping assist 'drop-outs'.

With road-widening works currently going on right across Melbourne's toll-road network, construction crews are redirecting drivers with yellow line markings, which would confuse autonomous cars likely to stick with the still visible white markings.

Speed signs need to be more consistent for placement and format, EastLink says. Signs on freeway exit ramps should be located well away from the freeway, to avoid confusing the autonomous system. And poor implementation of temporary speed limits in construction zones will cause further confusion for the car's on-board system.

Although there are no school zones anywhere on the EastLink network, the flashing LED signs used to drop speeds back to 40km/h in Victoria are known to be troublesome for autonomous cars. EastLink also cites the variable speed limit signs used in its tunnels under the Mullum Mullum Creek near Ringwood to be problematic. Ditto for lane control signs.

As a consequence of these findings, EastLink has begun repainting the toll road's line markings the entire length of the system – from Mitcham to Frankston.

The toll road operator has also commenced installing transceivers at three of the tolling gantries, to enable a section of the toll road for level three autonomy. Communications for V2X will be on 5.9GHz, rather than the 5.8GHz frequency used by EastLink for e-tag/tolling comms. Testing shows no conflict between the two comms channels.

"The EastLink trials that have been underway throughout this year have identified real opportunities for vehicle manufacturers and freeway operators, including EastLink, to improve the compatibility of the latest driver-assistance technologies with Victorian freeways," says Spencer-Roy.