Genetically Tuned Controller of an Adaptive Cruise Control for Urban Traffic Based on Ultrasounds

Abstract

Currently, Adaptive Cruise Controls on the market can only run at high speeds and distances. This makes them useless in urban traffic, where most traffic accidents occur. In the present work, a controller for an adaptive cruise control (ACC) system for urban traffic based on ultrasonic sensors is optimized using Genetic Algorithms. The use of ultrasonic sensors limits their operating range to distances and speeds typical of urban traffic. The proposed system uses the distance between vehicles as measured by the ultrasonic sensor to estimate the relative velocity and acceleration, thus requiring no interaction with the electronics of the car, except for the actuation on acceleration and braking systems. The system is capable of acting on the acceleration and braking systems throughout all its operating range, thereby constituting an additional emergency braking system. With this system both comfort and safety are improved.