Modeling Vehicle Flocking in Lane-Free Automated Traffic

In automated lane-free traffic, vehicles can choose any arbitrary lateral location. This enables vehicle flocking where, compared to platooning, the grouping of is possible with smaller space gaps, not only longitudinally but also laterally. Vehicle fulfill several purposes, such as increasing road capacity, saving energy by reducing aerodynamic drag force, and dampening shockwaves. Within this paper, we develop a control framework for modeling flocks in traffic. The proposed algorithm considers two types agents: [Formula: see text] -agents representing potential flock mates -agent virtual leader collective objectives (e.g., slowing down case traffic congestion ahead). Our based on functions centering collision avoidance, consensus velocity matching, navigational feedback exerted leader. leader’s path, which should be followed flock, defined an upper-level controller. addition, dynamic boundary implemented. We simulate approach very promising results. show that are efficiently formed within few seconds, speeds successfully aligned, arrangements stay stable under different scenarios. longitudinal extension changes changing boundaries, follow trajectory Most importantly, perturbations induced shock dampened because slight vehicles’ locations.