Optimal use of telemetry by parallel hybrid vehicles in urban driving

The benefit of telemetry systems that can provide information about future traffic conditions has been previously established, with both vehicle velocity and torque split controllers in hybrid vehicles able to improve fuel economy and emissions. However, many existing algorithms are either computationally intractable for real application or do not maximise the potential savings available. Here, a computationally efficient approach for the optimal control of both velocity and torque split of a parallel hybrid electric vehicle with vehicle telemetry is proposed. The optimal control inputs are determined using Pontryagin’s Minimum Principle and applied in a receding horizon fashion over realistic drive cycles. Although developed on a relatively simple model, the proposed controller is tested on a complex hybrid vehicle simulation. The effectiveness of the proposed controller in improving fuel consumption is investigated as preview information is varied, and in the presence of modelling error and measurement noise.