This report describes the methods, results and conclusions of a simulation study using the MICroscopic model for Simulation of Intelligent Cruise control (MIXIC) 1.3 model. This study was carried out within the context of the `Energy-friendly Variable Cruise Control' (EVS) study. The objective of the simulation study is to determine the extent to which energy consumption is actually reduced by the Autonomous Intelligent Cruise Control (AICC) implementation. The analyses of simulations showed that the difference in energy consumption between AICC and non-AICC vehicles mainly occurs when braking. Potential savings are much greater when braking `abruptly'. While the AICC implementation hardly has any effect on speed and traffic flows, the number of `shock waves' is reduced. AICC could cause average energy consumption savings of a few percent in homogeneous, heavy traffic. These savings increase to 7 percent in restless traffic. AICC vehicles can achieve potential savings of up to 10% and non-AICC vehicles of up to 5%. The savings depend to a large degree of penetration of AICC vehicles. The distance between cars also appeared to have a positive effect on energy consumption. It is concluded that variable cruise control, at least in the form of AICC, offers opportunities for reducing energy consumption by passenger cars. (A)
Abstract