Abstract:This paper discusses the concept of the longitudinal control of vehicle platoons on the highways. The paper discusses the simulation of vehicles with non linear properties, such as air drag, satuation (acceleration and brakes) and pure time delays in the engine and brake systems, as well as a mix of vehicle sizes with varying performance on the highway. A non linear controller is developed by using a fuzzy logic algorithm concept. Tests of a computer simulation for six vehicles in a platoon of three different vehicle sizes and for five different driving situations including emergency stop show the concept is viable and can be extended to move vehicles in a platoon.

Note:Published in Applications of Advanced Technologies in Transportation Engineering, ed. Y.J. Stephanedes and K.C. Sinha.