EAD: An advanced form of adaptive cruise control

EAD is implemented on the Sentience demonstrator vehicle through an advanced form of adaptive cruise control linked to the hybrid powertrain system of the vehicle.

Based on route information – which could in a production setting be integrated with a commercial navigation system – the Sentience vehicle will calculate and follow an optimal driving strategy. Its control system adjusts vehicle speed, acceleration and deceleration via its adaptive cruise control.

Using GPS and mapping data it takes into account the speed limits, traffic conditions, the road’s gradient and features including bends and even speed bumps, as well as less predictable road features including roundabouts and traffic lights. At any time, of course, the system can be manually over-ridden by the driver. Moreover, the data provided by the mapping and navigational systems is also used to optimize the recharging strategy of the hybrid’s batteries, thus increasing the potential availability of electric-only mode in urban environments.

Although not implemented on the project vehicle, the EAD implementation has the necessary in-built links to work with real-time traffic information in order to update its strategy according to prevailing conditions and areas of congestion. In track based tests, the EAD strategy alone has demonstrated fuel savings of between 5 and 24 per cent depending upon traffic conditions and route topology. In evening tests on public roads in ‘real-world’ conditions in the vicinity of TRL, achieved mean savings at all times in excess of 5 per cent.