Automated driving systems and control logic using maneuver criticality for vehicle routing and mode adaptation

Automated driving systems, control logic, and methods execute maneuver criticality analysis to provide intelligent vehicle operation in transient driving conditions. A method for controlling an automated driving operation includes a vehicle controller receiving path plan data with location, destination, and predicted path data for a vehicle. From the received path plan data, the controller predicts an upcoming maneuver for driving the vehicle between start and goal lane segments. The vehicle controller determines a predicted route with lane segments connecting the start and goal lane segments, and segment maneuvers for moving the vehicle between the start, goal, and route lane segments. A cost value is calculated for each segment maneuver; the controller determines if a cost values exceeds a corresponding criticality value. If so, the controller commands a resident vehicle subsystem to execute a control operation associated with taking the predicted route.