Vehicle Control System Power Limiting for Safe Trailing Distance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle control systems face challenges in efficiently managing the distance between trailing and leading vehicles, leading to unnecessary delays and reduced fuel efficiency due to inadequate pacing and inconsistent warning systems, particularly at crossings and work zones.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control system equipped with a locator device, communication circuit, and processors that monitor the power-to-weight ratio and distance between vehicles, adjusts power output limits to maintain a safe distance, and automatically controls audible warnings and trip plans to optimize movement and reduce operator load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the trailing vehicle reduces the distance to the vehicle ahead to improve trip time and fuel economy, then productivity and energy efficiency are improved, but the risk of accident increases requiring the trailing vehicle to slow to a stop
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the distance between the trailing vehicle and the vehicle ahead, and automatically adjusts the power output of the trailing vehicle based on real-time distance measurements. This feedback mechanism ensures the trailing vehicle maintains a safe distance without requiring manual intervention or unnecessary stops, thus improving both productivity and safety simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The trailing vehicle's control system autonomously regulates its own power output based on the monitored distance to the leading vehicle. The system self-adjusts to maintain optimal spacing, eliminating the need for operator intervention and preventing situations where the trailing vehicle would need to stop due to unsafe proximity
2Device complexity
If the operator manually controls the warning sound at crossings, then device complexity is reduced, but mistakes occur such as forgetting to activate the warning sound or activating it when not warranted
Solution Approach 1:
The warning system automatically determines when activation is required based on pre-stored crossing location data and the vehicle's current position. The system serves itself by autonomously activating or deactivating the warning sound without operator intervention, eliminating human errors while maintaining simple underlying system architecture
Solution Approach 2:
Crossing locations and warning requirements are pre-stored in the system database before the vehicle reaches them. The system prepares advance warning activation decisions based on predicted vehicle position relative to known crossings, ensuring accurate and timely warning sound activation without requiring real-time operator judgment
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a locator device and one or more processors operably connected to the locator device. The locator device determines a trailing distance between a trailing vehicle system that travels along a route and a leading vehicle system that travels along the route ahead of the trailing vehicle system in a same direction of travel. The one or more processors compare the trailing distance to a first proximity distance relative to the leading vehicle system. In response to the trailing distance being less than the first proximity distance, the one or more processors set a permitted power output limit for the trailing vehicle system to be less than a maximum achievable power output for the trailing vehicle system, the permitted power output limit being set based on a power-to-weight ratio of the leading vehicle system.