Microsimulation of connected automated vehicles in platooning conditions in highways

The perspective of autonomous vehicles running on our roads has come closer and closer to reality over the last decades, and this technology might be implemented during the upcoming years. However, this will only be achievable through constant investigation and efforts in all the fields of science covered by the Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAV). The present study focuses on the behaviour of CAV platoons in highways, and more precisely experiments an algorithm to get rid of propagating perturbations, such as the bullwhip effect, that affects the proper functioning of the platoon. This algorithm manages to simulate a sequential acceleration where each vehicle is given an individual pattern to follow before it even performs its manoeuvre, thanks to the current and objective parameters that its disposes of. These individual patterns are coordinated and prevent therefore any bullwhip effect. Nevertheless, a misconception in the theoretical model elaborated prevents the vehicles to reach their objective Desired Space Gap (DSG), and modifications must still be made to obtain an operational algorithm in regular driving conditions. Some ideas are mentioned to improve the model in this sense, as well as an alternative method to look into, based on dynamic equations