Modelling and Simulation for Safe Following Distance Based on Vehicle Braking Process

The Safe following distance is closely associated with vehicle braking process. The braking process consists of three stages. The key problem in this research area is to quantitatively describe each stage. In this paper a framework is presented to model the safe following distance by analyzing the braking process. In this framework we focus on the third braking stage, continuous braking stage, where the random braking phase is complex and difficult to be quantitatively analyzed. Based on analyzing the following drivers´ expectation in the car-following regime in details, we introduce the Hermit interpolation algorithm to understand the field car-following situation. The algorithm can deal with the kinematics information in the random braking phase. By using simulation, we have demonstrated that the modelling framework is practical, effective, more realistic than the former models, as well as avoids the rear-end collision to some extent. Meanwhile the proposed methodology can be used to identify the car-following driver behaviour characteristics and measure the safe distance in car-following regime.