Hiroki SAKAMOTO’s research while affiliated with Nagoya University and other places

A vehicle platoon is the method of grouping vehicles into platoon and driving synchronously. The vehicles in the platoon can travel safely in very small vehicle distance with the help of the mechanical and electric systems and thus, the traffic flow can be increased without any additional road construction. In this study, the interaction behavior between the vehicle platoon of three vehicles and the other vehicle is discussed. When the platoon of three vehicles overtakes the other vehicle, the vehicles in the platoon change the lane, overtake the preceding slow-travelling vehicle and changes the lane again. The vehicle velocity is controlled according to the vehicle following model (Bierley 1963, Chandler et. al. 1958, Gazis et. al. 1961, Helly 1959). The control models of vehicle velocity and behavior are defined in the mathematical model and discussed in the experiments of the robot vehicle. The results show that the model can make the platoon overtakes the other vehicle safely. In the near future, the model should be improved in order to enhance the safety and the efficiency of the vehicle platoon.

In the vehicle platoon, vehicles move in the small distance. It can improve the traffic capacity of the traffic road network. For the safety traffic flow in the vehicle platoon, the vehicles are controlled with electric and mechanical systems. This study focuses on the simulation where vehicles in the platoon overtake the other vehicle. The vehicle velocity is controlled with the vehicle following model such as Chandler model, extended Chandler model and Asahina model. The model is confirmed in the simulation of three-vehicle platoon overtaking a vehicles. The results show that the extended Chandler model can control the vehicle platoon stably.

Vehicle Platoon is the important technique for increasing the traffic amount safely. Our research group focuses on the velocity control model of the vehicle in the vehicle platoon. Consider face-to-face traffic of one lane on one side when there are vehicle platoon running and independent vehicle running. In this study ,we will describe that a row running vehicle will overtake a vehicle in front while avoiding an oncoming lane vehicle.

When the earthquake occurs, the vehicles near shore should move to inland quickly. The algorithm to determine the effective escape route for vehicles is presented in this study. The traffic amount is maximized by changing the escape route of vehicles. Tobishima pier at the port of Nagoya is considered as the object domain under consideration. At the different vehicle density, the escape route is determined. The results show that the present algorithm can find the adequate route.

Vehicle following model is very effective for increasing the traffic capacity and enhancing the traffic safety. This paper describes the vehicle velocity control model of the four-vehicles through intersection. Traffic flow simulation of four LEGO Mindstorms is performed. The experiimental result is compared with the simulation result in order to confirm the validity of the model.

The velocity control algorithm of vehicles in vehicle platoon is applied for the platoon experience of the vehicle robots. Stability analysis of the models is performed to determine the parameters and then, the summation of sensitivities for all leader vehicles is maximized. The results show that the velocity control can be performed by the velocities of only one or two leader vehicles, the nearest leader vehicle and the lead vehicle of the platoon. The model is applied for the velocity control of the vehicle robots in the vehicle platoon. The experimental result is compared with the numerical simulation in order to confirm the validity of the model. The experimental result qualitatively agrees with the computer simulation.