Autonomous Vehicle Train Joining With Verified Rendezvous Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of autonomous vehicles into conventional traffic flow leads to inefficiencies, safety issues, and inconveniences due to operator errors, inattention, and the need for precise control to ensure safe and timely navigation.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method for autonomous vehicles to dynamically join or rendezvous with an Autonomous Vehicle Train (AVT) by establishing communication, receiving operational data, determining a rendezvous point, and maneuvering to join the AVT, allowing for coordinated speed and spacing adjustments, facilitated by processors and transceivers, with verification of vehicle identification and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If autonomous vehicles operate independently in conventional traffic flow, then vehicle control flexibility is maintained, but safety issues and inefficiencies arise due to operator errors and lack of coordination
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple autonomous vehicles are merged into a coordinated train formation where vehicles communicate and synchronize their operations. The lead vehicle's control commands are propagated to following vehicles, creating a unified system that operates as a single entity rather than independent units, thereby improving safety through coordinated action.
Solution Approach 2:
A communication system acts as an intermediary between vehicles in the train, transmitting control commands, operational data, and coordination signals. This intermediary enables synchronized operation without requiring direct physical coupling, resolving the complexity of coordination while maintaining safety.
2Productivity
If autonomous vehicles travel individually, then route flexibility is maintained, but traffic flow efficiency decreases due to spacing and coordination requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous vehicle train employs dynamic spacing and speed adjustment where following vehicles automatically adapt their position and velocity based on the lead vehicle's movements. This dynamic coordination allows the train to maintain optimal spacing for efficiency while preserving the ability to respond to route changes and traffic conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
Vehicles in the train continuously exchange operational data and position information through wireless communication. This feedback mechanism enables real-time coordination of speed and spacing, allowing the train to optimize traffic flow efficiency while maintaining the flexibility to adjust to changing route requirements.
3Reliability
If autonomous vehicles maintain larger spacing for safety, then collision risk is reduced, but travel time and route efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces mechanical safety spacing requirements with electronic communication and coordinated control. Following vehicles use wireless communication to receive real-time position and speed data from the lead vehicle, enabling them to maintain smaller physical distances while achieving the same safety level through active coordination rather than passive spacing.
Data Source
AI summary
Autonomous vehicles may be dynamically directed to rendezvous with autonomous vehicle trains or convoys. Current location and/or route information of the Autonomous Vehicle Train (AVT) may be received by an autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle may compare its current location and/or route information to determine a rendezvous point with the AVT. The autonomous vehicle may route itself to the rendezvous point with the AVT. Once there, the autonomous vehicle may verify the identification of the AVT, such as by using sensors/cameras to verifying a lead vehicle of the AVT (e.g., by verifying make/model, color, and/or license plate). The autonomous vehicle and lead vehicle may communicate to allow the autonomous vehicle to join the AVT. A minimum level of autonomous vehicle functionality may be verified prior to the autonomous vehicle being allowed to join the AVT. As a result, vehicle traffic flow and travel experience by passengers may be enhanced.