On the potential for improving fuel economy using a traffic flow sensor network

This paper attempts to quantify the automotive fuel economy improvements in an urban driving scenario that can be obtained by equipping the vehicle with a sensor network providing information about the upcoming traffic. The analysis is performed for both a conventional and a hybrid drivetrain, as the latter is currently being marketed as providing substantial improvements in urban fuel economy. The information about traffic flow provided by the sensor network is used to shape the vehicle´s speed trajectory over some look-ahead time. Simulation results obtained from a validated vehicle simulation environment indicate significant real-world fuel economy improvements are achievable with the incorporation of some telematic capability - to the point where a suitably equipped vehicle with only an internal combustion engine (ICE) is shown to run as economically as a hybrid drivetrain without the sensor network. Not surprisingly, it is also found that the greatest gains in fuel economy may be obtained by incorporating the telematic capability with the hybrid drivetrain, although optimization of the switching control strategy between the hybrid and ICE is necessary to reap the full benefits available.