Vehicle Platoon Control Strategy Switching for Safety and Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle platoon systems face challenges in managing varying road conditions, such as bends and hills, where synchronous speed regulation can be unsafe and inefficient, and struggle to reduce time gaps between vehicles without compromising traffic safety.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that allows vehicles in a platoon to switch between position-based and time-based driving strategies based on evaluated criteria, using wireless communication to adapt speed changes and maintain safety while optimizing fuel efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If synchronous speed regulation is used in vehicle platoons, then traffic safety is improved, but fuel efficiency deteriorates on roads with bends and hills
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two driving strategies (synchronous and asynchronous) based on road conditions. On straight roads, synchronous strategy is used for safety. On roads with bends and hills, asynchronous strategy is used for fuel efficiency. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to optimize for safety when needed and for efficiency when possible.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the control parameter from synchronous speed regulation to asynchronous speed regulation based on detected road conditions. When bends or hills are detected, the control strategy parameter is changed to allow asynchronous speed adjustments, thereby improving fuel efficiency while maintaining acceptable safety levels through other control mechanisms.
2Productivity
If distance sensors and cameras are used to reduce time gap between vehicles, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates when target view is obscured
Solution Approach 1:
Wireless communication acts as an intermediary to transfer position and speed information between vehicles. Instead of relying solely on direct sensor detection that requires clear line of sight, vehicles exchange data through communication channels, allowing accurate distance measurement even when physical sensors cannot directly observe other vehicles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses multiple information sources (distance sensors, cameras, and wireless communication) to achieve distance measurement. When sensors or cameras are obscured, wireless communication provides alternative data, making the distance measurement system universal and functional under various conditions.
3Use of energy by moving object
If position-based driving strategy is used, then fuel efficiency is improved, but adaptability to emergency situations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between position-based and time-based driving strategies based on the situation. During normal driving, position-based strategy is used for fuel efficiency. When emergencies are detected through wireless communication or sensors, the system transitions to time-based strategy for rapid response, thus adapting to changing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors road conditions, vehicle positions, and potential hazards through sensors and wireless communication. This feedback allows the system to detect emergency situations and switch from position-based to time-based driving strategy, ensuring adaptability while maintaining fuel efficiency during normal operation.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4A
Figure 4B~4C
AI summary
A system (4) and method to control a vehicle platoon that comprises at least one lead vehicle and one additional vehicle, each of which has a positioning unit (1 ) and a unit (2) for wireless communication. The system comprises a driving profile unit (6) configured to determine two different common driving strategies adapted to be applied for all vehicles in the vehicle platoon, whereby these driving strategies are constituted by a common position-based driving strategy and a common time-based driving strategy. The system comprises an analysis unit (7) that is configured to: - receive and evaluate one or several driving strategy criteria values (8), - determine whether the said time-based driving strategy or position-based driving strategy is to be used, depending on the result of the said evaluation, - generate a driving strategy signal that indicates the driving strategy that has been determined, and - transmit the driving strategy signal to all vehicles in the vehicle platoon that are affected by the driving strategy, after which the vehicles in the vehicle platoon are controlled according to the driving strategy.