Application of the 'contact convoy' concept to hybrid-electric vehicles

The advantages claimed for both hybrid-electric vehicles (HEV) and highway/vehicle automation in urban driving are well documented. However, short-headway 'platooning' of private or fleet operated vehicles is generally considered infeasible at present due to communication, control limitations and vehicle safety implications. Using an HEV model tuned to the urban driving cycle, the authors introduce the research concept of in-contact vehicles using 'bridging dampers' to remove these constraints and enhance vehicle throughput and safety. It is shown that the kinematic constraints of traditional short headway control schemes which result in conflict between passenger comfort and positioning accuracy are removed with the use of said dampers, regardless of the drive-train dynamics. It is also concluded that HEV schemes benefit from the use of bridging dampers through the reduction of dynamic power demands from vehicle drive-trains.