Local Graph-based Distributed Control for Safe Highway Platooning

Using graph theory, this paper investigates how a group of vehicles, endowed with local positioning capabilities (range and bearing to other vehicles), can keep a predefined formation. We propose a longitudinal and lateral controller that stabilizes a system of several vehicles as well as a collision avoidance mechanism. The stability of our approach is supported by a mathematical analysis as well as realistic simulations

Coordinated Formation Control for Intelligent and Connected Vehicles in Multiple Traffic Scenarios

In this paper, a unified multi-vehicle formation control framework for Intelligent and Connected Vehicles (ICVs) that can apply to multiple traffic scenarios is proposed. In the one-dimensional scenario, different formation geometries are analyzed and the interlaced structure is mathematically modelized to improve driving safety while making full use of the lane capacity. The assignment problem for vehicles and target positions is solved using Hungarian Algorithm to improve the flexibility of the method in multiple scenarios. In the two-dimensional scenario, an improved virtual platoon method is proposed to transfer the complex two-dimensional passing problem to the one-dimensional formation control problem based on the idea of rotation projection. Besides, the vehicle regrouping method is proposed to connect the two scenarios. Simulation results prove that the proposed multi-vehicle formation control framework can apply to multiple typical scenarios and have better performance than existing methods

Distributed Graph-based Convoy Control for Networked Intelligent Vehicles

This paper presents an approach for formation control of multi-lane vehicular convoys in highways. We extend a Laplacian graph-based, distributed control law such that networked intelligent vehicles can join or leave the formation dynamically without jeopardizing the ensemble’s stability. Additionally, we integrate two essential control behaviors for lane-keeping and obstacle avoidance into the controller. To increase the performance of the convoy controller in terms of formation maintenance and fuel economy, the parameters of the controller are optimized in realistic scenarios using Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), a powerful metaheuristic optimization method well-suited for large parameter spaces. The performances of the optimized controllers are evaluated in high-fidelity multi-vehicle simulations outlining the efficiency and robustness of the proposed strategy

Distributed Graph-Based Control of Convoys of Heterogeneous Vehicles using Curvilinear Road Coordinates

This paper investigates the problem of controlling a heterogeneous group of vehicles with the aim of forming multi-lane convoys. We use a distributed, graph-based control law, implemented in a longitudinal coordinate system parallel to the road. Each vehicle maintains a local graph with information from only nearby vehicles, in which the desired distances between vehicles are calculated dynamically. This allows for fast adaptation to the changes in the number of vehicles and their positions. We have also implemented a distributed mechanism that allows vehicles to change lane in a cooperative way within the convoy. Systematic experiments have been carried out in a high-fidelity simulator in order to show the performance of the proposed control law