Dynamic Speed Harmonization

TL;DR

This paper introduces a Dynamic Speed Harmonization algorithm designed to prevent traffic bottlenecks by regulating vehicle speeds, tested through co-simulations, HIL simulations, and track experiments to improve traffic flow and ride comfort.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel DSH algorithm that dynamically adjusts vehicle speeds based on real-time traffic data, integrating co-simulation, HIL testing, and track validation.

Findings

DSH effectively reduces traffic congestion and bottlenecks.

The algorithm improves ride comfort during deceleration.

Simulation and real-world tests confirm the robustness of DSH.

Abstract

In the last decade, the accelerated advancements in manufacturing techniques and material science enabled the automotive industry to manufacture commercial vehicles at more affordable rates. This, however, brought about roadways having to accommodate an ever-increasing number of vehicles every day. However, some roadways, during specific hours of the day, had already been on the brink of reaching their capacity to withstand the number of vehicles travelling on them. Hence, overcrowded roadways create slow traffic, and sometimes, bottlenecks. In this paper, a Dynamic Speed Harmonization (DSH) algorithm that regulates the speed of a vehicle to prevent it from being affected by bottlenecks has been presented. First, co-simulations were run between MATLAB Simulink and CarSim to test different deceleration profiles. Then, Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) simulations were run with a Road Side Unit (RSU), which emulated a roadside detector that spotted bottlenecks and sent information to the Connected Vehicle about the position of the queue and the average speed of the vehicles at the queue. The DSH algorithm was also tested on a track to compare the performance of the different deceleration profiles in terms of ride comfort.