Eco-cruise control application reduced fuel consumption by 27 percent on a section of I-81 in Virginia.

Two eco-driving applications developed and evaluated for reductions in fuel consumption and emissions.

Date Posted
01/18/2018
Identifier
2018-B01226
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Developing Eco-Adaptive Cruise Control Systems

Summary Information

The study demonstrates the feasibility of two eco-driving applications, aiming to reduce vehicle fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Specifically, the study develops an eco-drive system that combines eco-cruise control (ECC) logic with state-of-the-art car-following models and evaluates Eco-Lanes and speed harmonization (SPD-HARM) applications.



Methodology



The eco-drive system makes use of topographic information, the spacing between the subject and lead vehicle, and a desired (or target) vehicle speed and distance headway as input variables. It was studied on a segment of I-81 between Roanoke and Blacksburg, Virginia.



The Eco-Lanes and SPD-HARM applications were evaluated using the INTEGRATION microscopic traffic simulation software.

Findings

The eco-drive system developed could significantly improve fuel efficiency while maintaining reasonable vehicle spacing. One of the test vehicles, a 2011 Toyota Camry, saw a 27 percent reduction in fuel consumption with an average vehicle spacing of 47 m on the study section of I-81 (between Roanoke and Blacksburg, Virginia). The study also found that vehicles not equipped with ECC could still benefit from ECC if they followed an ECC-equipped vehicle.

Results Type
Deployment Locations