This paper investigates the traffic behaviour and the stability of a platoon travelling on Automated Highway Systems (AHS) based on the classical car-following theory. The control objectives in this model are two fold: one is to secure the stability of the platoon and the other is to maximise throughput traffic. Three spacing policies investigated in this study are: i) the constant distance gap policy, ii) the constant time gap policy, iii) the braking distance policy. The result of the stability analysis showed that the constant distance gap policy was asymptotically unstable, but the constant time gap policy was asymptotically stable under the specified condition. The string stability of the braking distance policy was indicated to be stable. As a result of the numerical analysis, the proposed car-following model in this study was evaluated to adequately reflect the ACC and platooning operation.
Abstract