Modeling cooperative and autonomous adaptive cruise control dynamic responses using experimental data

International audienceVehicle longitudinal control systems such as (commercially available) autonomous Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and its more sophisticated variant Cooperative ACC (CACC) could potentially have significant impacts on traffic flow. Accurate models of the dynamic responses of both of these systems are needed to produce realistic predictions of their effects on highway capacity and traffic flow dynamics. This paper describes the develop-ment of models of both ACC and CACC control systems that are based on real experimental data. To this end, four production vehicles were equipped with a commercial ACC system and a newly developed CACC controller. The Intelligent Driver Model (IDM) that has been widely used for ACC car-following modeling was also implemented on the production vehicles. These controllers were tested in different traffic situations in order to measure the actual responses of the vehicles. Test results indicate that: (1) the IDM controller when implemented in our experimental test vehicles does not perceptibly follow the speed changes of the preceding vehicle; (2) strings of consecutive ACC vehicles are unstable, amplifying the speed variations of preceding vehicles; and (3) strings of consecutive CACC vehicles overcome these limitations, providing smooth and stable car following responses. Simple but accurate models of the ACC and CACC vehicle following dynamics were derived from the actual measured responses of the vehicles and applied to simulations of some simple multi-vehicle car following scenarios

Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control in Real Traffic Situations

International audienceIntelligent vehicle cooperation based on reliable communication systems contributes not only to reducing traffic accidents, but also to improving traffic flow. Adaptive Cruise Con-trol (ACC) systems can gain enhanced performance by adding vehicle-vehicle wireless communication to provide additional information to augment range sensor data, leading to Cooperative ACC (CACC). This paper presents the design, development, implementation and testing of a CACC system. It consists of two controllers, one to manage the approaching maneuver to the leading vehicle and the other to regulate car-following once the vehicle joins the platoon. The system has been implemented on four production Infiniti M56s vehicles, and this paper details the results of experiments to validate the performance of the controller and its improvements with respect to the commercially available ACC system

Opportunities, Challenges, and Uncertainties in Urban Road Transport Automation

Automated driving has attracted intense attention in the media and among the general public, based on extremely optimistic predictions from some industry participants, but these have started to become more realistic in the last couple of years, after the “hype cycle” for automation peaked. This paper explains the opportunities for Automated Driving System (ADS) technology to improve the urban transport of people and goods, together with the challenges that will limit the scope and timing of the deployment of urban ADS. The discussion emphasizes the diversity of ADS applications and services, each of which has its own opportunities, challenges, and uncertainties, leading to diverse deployment scopes and schedules. The associated challenges are sufficiently daunting that ADS deployment will lag behind electrification and connectivity, leaving more time for cities to prepare for it

Connected and Automated Vehicle Policy Development for California

Connected Vehicles (CV), Automated Vehicles (AV) and their combination as Connected Automated Vehicles (CAVs) have beenamong the most important developments in surface transportation within the past few years. California has been a nationalleader in the development of these technologies and their predecessors for several decades, but that leadership position is injeopardy as other states court CAV development and testing outside of California. The paper suggests Californiaactively engages in CAV through a number of different outlets; encouraging the development of state-of- the-art testing facilities where a wider range of vehicles can be tested, building on existing DMV regulatory frameworks, and convening open public discussions about the safety for CAV systems. Public sector engagement and action on this topic are needed in order for California to capitalize on the potential safety, efficiency and productivity benefits for connected and automated vehicles

Preparing the Way for Vehicle-Infrastructure Integration

Vehicle-Infrastructure Integration (VII) is one of the most important new national programs within the field of ITS, but until now it has been treated at the federal level as a deployment-oriented activity, without significant research elements. This report identifies some key research issues that need to be investigated in support of VII, in order to ensure that the VII concept and designs are as efficient and effective as possible and in order to produce the essential knowledge base that public agencies throughout the country can rely upon to make well-informed decisions about participating in the deployment of VII