Control of Heavy Duty Vehicle

Vehicle Braking Control
Vehicle Safety

1. ADVANCED BRAKING METHODS FOR LONGITUDINAL CONTROL OF COMMERCIAL HEAVY VEHICLES

Task Order 4200

Anna G. Stefanopoulou, University of Michigan
annastef@umich.edu, http://www-personal.engin.umich.edu/~annastef

This project is a continuation of MOU372. It concludes ongoing research to develop multivariable framework models, analysis and control methodology for integration and coordination of advanced compression braking methods with conventional braking systems for longitudinal control of heavy duty vehicles. The research will contribute to safety enhancement, improvement in fuel economy, and reduction in congestion and air pollution, and complement the other heavy truck control research already being conducted in MOUs 313, 314 and 331. A critical longitudinal maneuver for which engine braking is instrumental will be identified. Based on the analysis a controller algorithm that will coordinate the multiple actuators and assist the driver during the critical maneuver will be developed.

Online papers:
PRR-2000-8.pdf (4.2 mb), PWP-2000-1.pdf (1.7 mb), PWP-98-15.pdf (411 K), PRR-2000-15.pdf (548 K)

2. BRAKE SYSTEM MODELING, CONTROL AND INTEGRATED BRAKE/THROTTLE SWITCHING

MOU 308

Karl Hedrick, University of California, Berkeley
khedrick@me.berkeley.edu, http://www.me.berkeley.edu/faculty/hedrick/index.html

This project continues to investigate the automatic control of vehicle braking, which is essential to both safety and performance of automated vehicles. It includes accurate measurement of the level of braking force (or torque) and use of that information to provide accurate control of braking. The techniques and hardware used here are ahead of the state-of-the-art in the automotive industry, which was not able to provide components or systems to meet the performance specifications for this research. The results will contribute to the definition of system performance limits for automated vehicle operations, since the overall system performance and safety are very dependent on the accuracy of braking and the accuracy of the braking system performance measurements.