Platoon Separation Control for Vehicle-Type Tollgate Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing platooning systems face challenges in efficiently managing platoon separation and lane changes, particularly when vehicles need to pass through tollgates, leading to inefficiencies in traffic flow.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for controlling platooning that allows for platoon separation and lane changes by allocating tollgates based on vehicle type, using a leading vehicle to transmit and receive information with platoon vehicles and toll booths, and controlling driving operations to facilitate smooth passage through tollgates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If platoon separation is performed to allocate tollgates by vehicle type, then traffic flow efficiency is improved, but platoon coordination complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The platoon is segmented into multiple sub-platoons based on vehicle types (e.g., trucks, buses, passenger vehicles). Each sub-platoon is assigned to a specific tollgate lane corresponding to its vehicle type, enabling parallel processing of different vehicle categories and improving overall traffic flow efficiency while maintaining organized coordination
Solution Approach 2:
The leading vehicle performs preliminary actions by determining tollgate allocation for each vehicle type before platoon separation occurs. Tollgate information is pre-calculated and communicated to relevant vehicles in advance, allowing smooth separation and lane changes without last-minute coordination complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If lane change is enabled for platoon separation, then tollgate allocation flexibility is improved, but driving stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Lane change information is determined and communicated in advance before the actual lane change execution. The leading vehicle calculates the optimal lane change timing and communicates this to following vehicles, allowing them to prepare and execute lane changes simultaneously, thereby maintaining platoon integrity and reducing instability
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the leading vehicle continuously monitors platoon status and lane change conditions. Following vehicles receive real-time lane change information and status updates, enabling coordinated lane changes that maintain platoon stability while achieving flexible tollgate allocation
3Productivity
If tollgate allocation is performed by vehicle type, then traffic smoothness is improved, but information communication requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple information communication functions into the existing platooning communication framework. The leading vehicle consolidates tollgate allocation information, lane change instructions, and platoon coordination data into unified communication messages, reducing the overall information communication burden while achieving smooth traffic flow through vehicle type-based tollgate allocation
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a method for a leading vehicle for controlling platoon separation in platooning and lane change of a platoon. The method includes performing platooning in a platoon, separating an existing platoon into a plurality of platoons according to a request or need for platoon separation, determining whether it is possible to change a lane of the separated platoon to which the leading vehicle belongs, transmitting lane change information to a platoon vehicle within the separated platoons upon determination that lane change is possible, and changing a driving lane for lane change of the separated platoon.