Velocity difference control based on dynamic tracking of safe following distance in the process of vehicle following

To improve the quality of vehicular following behaviour in safety and efficiency, a new method, which combines the velocity difference control with the dynamic tracking of safe following distance closely, is presented to realise the dynamic optimisation of the following vehicle´s behaviour and the spatial interval between the preceding and following vehicles. The corresponding mathematical model is given in this study, as well as control system design and the control algorithms for the following vehicle to adjust its own behaviour scientifically. Different from other vehicle following models, the fitting function is used to calculate dynamic safe following distance, which should be kept by the following vehicle from the preceding vehicle. The safe following distance can be obtained in real time by the following vehicle at any velocity from 0 to 500 km/h for the evaluation and the scientific adjustment of its own behaviour. The simulation verifies the feasibility and validity of this method, which can ensure the safe, efficient and smooth (comfort) operation of the following vehicle in its following process.