Vehicle Stop-Start Control for Anxiety-Aware Traffic Merging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current engine auto-stop systems fail to effectively address driver anxiety in high anxiety scenarios, such as right-turn and left-turn merging into transverse traffic, as they do not consider specific traffic patterns and variations in driver anxiety levels.
Innovation Solution
A method that estimates the merging acceleration rate into transverse traffic using data from connected traffic lights and vehicles, comparing it to a threshold acceleration rate to selectively enable or disable the stop-start function, thereby reducing driver anxiety and optimizing fuel efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the stop-start function is disabled in all right-turn and left-turn scenarios, then driver anxiety is reduced, but fuel efficiency is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different stop-start control strategies to different turning scenarios based on local traffic conditions. Right turns with low transverse traffic volume allow stop-start functionality while left turns with high transverse traffic volume disable it, creating localized quality variations in system behavior rather than a blanket approach
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts stop-start functionality based on real-time traffic conditions. The controller continuously monitors transverse traffic volume and velocity to determine whether to enable or disable stop-start, making the system adaptive rather than static
2Loss of energy
If the stop-start function is enabled to maximize fuel efficiency, then fuel economy improves, but driver anxiety increases in high-traffic merging scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from traffic condition monitoring to control stop-start functionality. The controller receives information about transverse traffic volume and velocity, processes this feedback, and adjusts stop-start enablement accordingly to balance fuel efficiency with driver comfort
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter of stop-start enablement/disablement based on traffic conditions. When transverse traffic volume exceeds a threshold or velocity indicates difficult merging, the parameter changes from enabled to disabled state
3Device complexity
If general criteria are used to disable stop-start in turning scenarios, then implementation is simple, but specific traffic patterns and driver anxiety variations are not addressed
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs multiple functions: it monitors traffic conditions, estimates transverse traffic volume and velocity, determines driver anxiety levels, and controls stop-start functionality. This multi-functionality allows the system to handle various traffic patterns and scenarios with a single integrated approach
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for selectively disabling a stop-start function of a vehicle based on a predicted anxiety of a driver of the vehicle upon merging into transverse traffic. In one example, selectively disabling the stop-start function of a vehicle based on a predicted anxiety of the driver of the vehicle includes, when approaching an intersection having a first traffic pattern, disabling a stop-start function responsive to an estimated merging acceleration for the intersection exceeding a threshold acceleration rate of the vehicle.