Connected Vehicle Identification System for Cooperative Control of Connected Automated Vehicles

Project Abstract

A field evaluation of a recently developed cooperative platooning algorithm in mixed traffic (a.k.a., cooperative adaptive cruise control with the unconnected vehicle, CACCu), developed by PI Park (including human-driven and connected automated vehicles), has shown significant benefits over adaptive cruise control that does not require connectivity. One of the critical challenges of implementing the CACC algorithm is appropriately identifying connected automated vehicles to form a cooperative adaptive cruise control. This identification is not a trivial task mainly because each connected vehicle does not share its vehicle information due to privacy concerns. In addition, the connectivity opens cybersecurity issues. As shown by PI Park, connected vehicles’ communications are vulnerable. The proposed connected vehicle identification system (CVIS) relies on a few sensors, including radar sensors, vehicle-to-vehicle communication devices (e.g., C-V2X), and a global position system (GPS). The preceding vehicle identification system (PVIS) was developed by PI Park, and is currently being expanded to improve its performance by considering surrounding vehicles (needed for the lane-change recommendation) and the use of GPS velocity (much more accurate than location). A simulation-based study showed significant improvements over the immediately preceding vehicle identification system using only GPS distance.

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Universities Involved

University of Virginia

Principle Investigators

Dr. Brian Park

Funding Sources and Amounts

USDOT: $100,000

Start Date

September 1, 2023

Completion Date

September 1, 2024

Expected Research Outcomes & Impacts

The team will pursue the commercialization of this technology and prototype system. Our ultimate commercialization plan is to develop the surrounding vehicle identification system (SVIS, see the figure on the right) and enable cooperative adaptive cruise control with unconnected vehicles (CACCu). The SMARTER UTC fund along with the CCI commercialization fund (cost share) is expected to help design and test a preliminary prototype system for an NSF I-Corps team program or NSF Partnerships for Innovation Program application. Upon successful field demonstration of the connected vehicle identification system preliminary prototype, the team will seek commercialization and licensing opportunities. The system is a must for forming cooperative adaptive cruise control, and any cooperative control involving vehicle-to-vehicle specific communications (e.g., cooperative lane change).

Subject Areas

Connected and Automated Vehicles, Infrastructure Design and Planning