In earlier work, a decentralized optimal control framework was established for coordinating online connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) in merging roadways, urban intersections, speed reduction zones, and roundabouts. The dynamics of each vehicle were represented by a double integrator and the Hamiltonian analysis was applied to derive an analytical solution that minimizes the L2-norm of the control input. However, the analytical solution did not consider the rear-end collision avoidance constraint. In this paper, we derive a complete, closed-form analytical solution that includes the rear-end safety constraint in addition to the state and control constraints. We augment the double integrator model that represents a vehicle with an additional state corresponding to the distance from its preceding vehicle. Thus, the rear-end collision avoidance constraint is included as a state constraint. The effectiveness of the solution is illustrated through simulation.
Connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) provide the most intriguing opportunity to reduce pollution, energy consumption, and travel delays. In earlier work, we addressed the optimal coordination of CAVs using Hamiltonian analysis. In this paper, we investigate the nature of the unconstrained problem and provide conditions under which the state and control constraints become active. We derive a closed-form analytical solution of the constrained optimization problem and evaluate the solution using numerical simulation.
In this paper we consider the problem of coordinating autonomous vehicles approaching an intersection. We cast the problem in the distributed optimisation framework and propose an algorithm to solve it in real time. We extend previous work on the topic by testing two alternative algorithmic solutions in simulations. Moreover, we test our algorithm in experiments using real cars on a test track. The experimental results demonstrate the applicability and real-time feasibility of the algorithm.
We address the problem of coordinating online a continuous flow of connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) crossing two adjacent intersections in an urban area. We present a decentralized optimal control framework whose solution yields for each vehicle the optimal acceleration/deceleration at any time in the sense of minimizing fuel consumption. The solu- tion, when it exists, allows the vehicles to cross the intersections without the use of traffic lights, without creating congestion on the connecting road, and under the hard safety constraint of collision avoidance. The effectiveness of the …
This article reviews some main results and progress in distributed multi-agent coordination, focusing on papers published in major control systems and robotics journals since 2006. Distributed coordination of multiple vehicles, including unmanned aerial vehicles, unmanned ground vehicles and unmanned underwater vehicles, has been a very active research subject studied extensively by the systems and control community. The recent results in this area are categorized into several directions, such as consensus, formation control, optimization, task assignment, and estimation. After the review, a s…
Connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) provide the most intriguing opportunity to improve energy efficiency, traffic flow, and safety. In earlier work, we addressed the constrained optimal coordination problem of CAVs at different traffic scenarios using Hamiltonian analysis. In this paper, we investigate the properties of the unconstrained problem and provide conditions under which different combination of the state and control constraints become active. We present a condition-based computational framework that improves on the standard iterative solution procedure of the constrained Hamilton…
In this paper, we address the problem of coordinating platoons of connected and automated vehicles at signal-free intersections. We present a decentralized, two-level optimal framework to coordinate the platoons with the objective to minimize travel delay and fuel consumption of every platoon crossing the intersection. In the upper-level, each platoon derives an optimal schedule to enter the intersection. In the low-level, the platoons derive their optimal control input (acceleration/deceleration) for the optimal schedule derived in the upper-level. We validate the effectiveness of the propose…
Connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) provide the most intriguing opportunity to optimize energy consumption and travel time. Several approaches have been proposed in the literature that allow CAVs to coordinate in situations where there is a potential conflict, for example, in signalized intersections, merging at roadways and roundabouts, to reduce energy consumption and optimize traffic flow. In this paper, we consider the problem of coordinating CAVs in a corridor consisting of multiple traffic scenarios. We formulate a two-level optimization problem in which we maximize traffic throughpu…
Urban intersections, merging roadways, roundabouts, and speed reduction zones along with the driver responses to various disturbances are the primary sources of bottlenecks in corridors that contribute to traffic congestion. The implementation of connected and automated technologies can enable a novel computational framework for real-time control aimed at optimizing energy consumption and travel time. In this paper, we propose a decentralized energy-efficient optimal control framework for two adjacent intersections. We derive a closed-form analytical solution that includes interior boundary co…
In this paper, we provide a decentralized theoretical framework for coordination of connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) at different traffic scenarios. The framework includes: (1) an upper-level optimization that yields for each CAV its optimal time trajectory and lane to pass through a given traffic scenario while alleviating congestion; and (2) a low-level optimization that yields for each CAV its optimal control input (acceleration/deceleration). We provide a complete, analytical solution of the low-level optimization problem that includes the rear-end, speed-dependent safety constraint…
This study presents a vehicle-level distributed coordination strategy to control a mixed traffic stream of connected automated vehicles (CAVs) and connected human-driven vehicles (CHVs) through signalized intersections. We use CAVs as mobile traffic controllers during a newly introduced white phase, during which CAVs will negotiate the right-of-way to lead a group of CHVs while CHVs must follow their immediate front vehicle. The white phase will not be activated under low CAV penetration rates, where vehicles must wait for green signals. We have formulated this problem as a distributed mixed-i…
Eindhoven University of Technology（埃因霍温理工大学）；Eindhoven Artificial Intelligence Systems Institute（埃因霍温人工智能系统研究所）；Lund University（隆德大学）；The Australian National University（澳大利亚国立大学）
We consider the problem of cooperative motion coordination for multiple heterogeneous mobile vehicles subject to various constraints. These include nonholonomic motion constraints, constant speed constraints, holonomic coordination constraints, and equality/inequality geometric constraints. We develop a general framework involving differential-algebraic equations and viability theory to determine coordination feasibility for a coordinated motion control under heterogeneous vehicle dynamics and different types of coordination task constraints. If a coordinated motion solution exists for the der…
This paper considers competitive mobility-on-demand systems where a group of vehicle sharing companies, on one hand, want to collectively regulate the traffic of the user queueing network, and on the other hand, maximize their own profits at each time instant. We formulate the strategic interconnection among the companies as a real-time game theoretic coordination problem. We propose an algorithm to achieve vehicle balance and practical regulation of the user queueing network. We quantify the relation between the regulation error and the system parameters (e.g., the maximum variation of the us…
In this paper, we extend a framework that we developed earlier for coordination of connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) at a signal-free intersection by integrating a safety layer using control barrier functions. First, in our motion planning module, each CAV computes the optimal control trajectory using simple vehicle dynamics. The trajectory does not make any of the state, control, and safety constraints active. A vehicle-level tracking controller employs a combined feedforward-feedback control law to track the resulting optimal trajectory from the motion planning module. Then, a barrier-…
Deriving optimal control strategies for coordination of connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) often requires re-evaluating the strategies in order to respond to unexpected changes in the presence of disturbances and uncertainties. In this paper, we first extend a decentralized framework that we developed earlier for coordination of CAVs at a signal-free intersection to incorporate replanning. Then, we further enhance the framework by introducing a priority-aware resequencing mechanism which designates the order of decision making of CAVs based on theory from the job-shop scheduling problem. …
Platooning of connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) has a significant potential for throughput improvement. However, the interaction between CAVs and non-CAVs may limit the practically attainable improvement due to platooning. To better understand and address this limitation, we introduce a new fluid model of mixed-autonomy traffic flow and use this model to analyze and design platoon coordination strategies. We propose tandem-link fluid model that considers randomly arriving platoons sharing highway capacity with non-CAVs. We derive verifiable conditions for stability of the fluid model by…
In this paper, we provide a decentralized optimal control framework for coordinating connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) in two interconnected intersections. We formulate a control problem and provide a solution that can be implemented in real time. The solution yields the optimal acceleration/deceleration of each CAV under the safety constraint at "conflict zones," where there is a chance of potential collision. Our objective is to minimize travel time for each CAV. If no such solution exists, then each CAV solves an energy-optimal control problem. We evaluate the effectiveness of the eff…
In prior work, we addressed the problem of optimally controlling on line connected and automated vehicles crossing two adjacent intersections in an urban area to minimize fuel consumption while achieving maximal throughput without any explicit traffic signaling and without considering left and right turns. In this paper, we extend the solution of this problem to account for left and right turns under hard safety constraints. Furthermore, we formulate and solve another optimization problem to minimize a measure of passenger discomfort while the vehicle turns at the intersection and we investiga…
Vehicle platooning using connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) has attracted considerable attention. In this paper, we address the problem of optimal coordination of CAV platoons at a highway on-ramp merging. We present a single-level constrained optimal control framework that optimizes fuel economy and travel time of the platoons while satisfying the state, control, and safety constraints. We also explore the effect of delayed communication among the CAV platoons and propose a robust coordination framework to enforce lateral and rear-end collision avoidance constraints in the presence of bo…
We extend earlier work establishing a framework for optimally controlling Connected Automated Vehicles (CAVs) crossing a signal free intersection by jointly optimizing energy and travel time. We derive explicit optimal control solutions in a decentralized manner that guarantee both a speed-dependent rear-end safety constraint and a time-dependent lateral collision constraint, in addition to lower/upper bounds on speed and acceleration. Extensive simulation examples are included to illustrate this framework.
We extend earlier work for optimally controlling Connected Automated Vehicles (CAVs) crossing a signal-free intersection by including all possible turns taken so as to optimize a passenger comfort metric along with energy and travel time minimization. We show that it is possible to achieve this goal in a decentralized manner with each CAV solving an optimal control problem, and derive explicit solutions that guarantee collision avoidance and safe distance constraints within a control zone. We investigate the associated tradeoffs between minimizing energy and vehicle travel time, as well as the…
In this paper, we provide a hierarchical coordination framework for connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) at two adjacent intersections. This framework consists of an upper-level scheduling problem and a low-level optimal control problem. By partitioning the area around two adjacent intersections into different zones, we formulate a scheduling problem for each individual CAV aimed at minimizing its total travel time. For each CAV, the solution of the upper-level problem designates the arrival times at each zones on its path which becomes the inputs of the low-level problem. The solution of t…
Leveraging the accuracy and consistency of vehicle motion control enabled by the connected and automated vehicle technology, we propose the rhythmic control (RC) scheme that allows vehicles to pass through an intersection in a conflict-free manner with a preset rhythm. The rhythm enables vehicles to proceed at a constant speed without any stop. The RC is capable of breaking the limitation that right of way can only be allocated to non-conflicting movements at a time. It significantly improves the performance of intersection control for automated traffic. Moreover, the RC with a predetermined r…
Motion trajectory planning is one crucial aspect for automated vehicles, as it governs the own future behavior in a dynamically changing environment. A good utilization of a vehicle's characteristics requires the consideration of the nonlinear system dynamics within the optimization problem to be solved. In particular, real-time feasibility is essential for automated driving, in order to account for the fast changing surrounding, e.g. for moving objects. The key contributions of this paper are the presentation of a fast optimization algorithm for trajectory planning including the nonlinear sys…
University of California, Santa Barbara（加州大学圣塔芭芭拉分校）；Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division（海军空战中心武器分部）
We present a method for optimal coordination of multiple vehicle teams when multiple endpoint configurations are equally desirable, such as seen in the autonomous assembly of formation flight. The individual vehicles' positions in the formation are not assigned a priori and a key challenge is to find the optimal configuration assignment along with the optimal control and trajectory. Commonly, assignment and trajectory planning problems are solved separately. We introduce a new multi-vehicle coordination paradigm, where the optimal goal assignment and optimal vehicle trajectories are found simu…
In this paper, we consider the optimal coordination of automated vehicles at intersections under fixed crossing orders. We formulate the problem using direct optimal control and exploit the structure to construct a semi-distributed primal-dual interior-point algorithm to solve it by parallelizing most of the computations. Differently from standard distributed optimization algorithms, where the optimization problem is split, in our approach we split the linear algebra steps, such that the algorithm takes the same steps as a fully centralized one, while still performing computations in a distrib…
Platooning of vehicles with coordinated adaptive cruise control (CACC) capabilities is a promising technology with a strong potential for fuel savings and congestion mitigation. Although some researchers have studied the vehicle-level fuel savings of platooning, few have considered the system-level benefits. This paper evaluates vehicle platooning as a fuel-reduction method and propose a hierarchical control system. We particularly focus on the impact of platooning coordination algorithm on system-wide benefits. The main task of platooning coordination is to regulate the times at which multipl…
We investigate the problem of coordinating multiple automated vehicles (AVs) in confined areas. This problem can be formulated as an optimal control problem (OCP) where the motion of the AVs is optimized such that collisions are avoided in cross-intersections, merge crossings, and narrow roads. The problem is combinatorial and solving it to optimality is prohibitively difficult for all but trivial instances. For this reason, we propose a heuristic method to obtain approximate solutions. The heuristic comprises two stages: In the first stage, a Mixed Integer Quadratic Program (MIQP), similar in…
Using Infrastructure-to-Vehicle (I2V) information can be of great benefit when driving autonomously in high-density traffic situations with limited visibility, since the sensing capabilities of the vehicle are enhanced by external sensors. In this research, a method is introduced to increase the vehicle's self-awareness in intersections for one of the largest foreseen challenges when using I2V communication: cyber security. The introduced anomaly detection algorithm, running on the automated vehicle, assesses the health of the I2V communication against multiple cyber security attacks. The anal…
We consider the charge scheduling coordination of a fleet of plug-in electric vehicles, developing a hybrid decision-making framework for efficient and profitable usage of the distribution grid. Each charging dynamics, affected by the aggregate behavior of the whole fleet, is modelled as an inter-dependent, mixed-logical-dynamical system. The coordination problem is formalized as a generalized mixed-integer aggregative potential game, and solved via semi-decentralized implementation of a sequential best-response algorithm that leads to an approximated equilibrium of the game.
We propose a fully distributed control system architecture, amenable to in-vehicle implementation, that aims to safely coordinate connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) at road intersections. For control purposes, we build upon a fully distributed model predictive control approach, in which the agents solve a nonconvex optimal control problem (OCP) locally and synchronously, and exchange their optimized trajectories via vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication. To accommodate a fast solution of the nonconvex OCPs, we apply the penalty convex-concave procedure which solves a convexified version …
This paper studies the energy and traffic impact of a proposed Anticipative Cruise Controller in a PTV VISSIM microsimulation environment. We dissect our controller into two parts: 1. the anticipative mode, more immediately beneficial when automated vehicle fleet penetration is low, and 2. the connected mode, beneficial in coordinated car-following scenarios and high automated vehicle penetrations appropriate for autonomous vehicle specific applications. Probabilistic constraints handle safety considerations, and vehicle constraints for acceleration capabilities are expressed through the use o…
Connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) offer huge potential to improve the performance of automated vehicles (AVs) without communication capabilities, especially in situations when the vehicles (or agents) need to be cooperative to accomplish their maneuver. Lane change maneuvers in dense traffic, e.g., are very challenging for non-connected AVs. To alleviate this problem, we propose a holistic distributed lane change control scheme for CAVs which relies on vehicle-to-vehicle communication. The originally centralized optimal control problem is embedded into a consensus-based Alternating Direc…
The paper presents a movement strategy for Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAVs) in a lane-free traffic environment with vehicle nudging by use of an optimal control approach. State-dependent constraints on control inputs are considered to ensure that the vehicle moves within the road boundaries and to prevent collisions. An objective function, comprising various weighted sub-objectives, is designed, whose minimization leads to vehicle advancement at the desired speed, when possible, while avoiding obstacles. A nonlinear optimal control problem (OCP) is formulated for the minimization of the…
