FUZZY THROTTLE AND BRAKE CONTROL FOR PLATOONS OF SMART CARS

Additive fuzzy systems can control the velocity and the gap between ca rs in single-lane platoons. The overall system consists of throttle an d brake controllers. We first designed and tested a throttle-only fuzz y system on a validated car model and then with a real car on highway I-15 in California. We used this controller to drive the ''smart'' car on the highway in a two-car platoon. Then we designed a throttle and brake controller. The combined system controls the platoon on downhill parts of the freeway and as it decelerates to slower speeds. We model ed the brake controller using the real test data from the brake system . A logic switch for throttle and brake decides which system to use. T he gap controller uses data only from its own sensors and there is no communication among cars. The simulation results show that follower ca rs with a combined brake/throttle controller can maintain a constant g ap when the platoon goes downhill and slows. An adaptive throttle cont roller uses neural systems to learn the fuzzy rules for different vehi cle types.