Trajectory optimisation for eco-driving - an experimentally verified optimisation method

Eco-driving is an immediately applicable way to reduce fuel consumption in road vehicles by changing vehicle operation such that system efficiency is maximised. In order to identify the maximum potential of eco-driving a numerical method that computes the optimal velocity profile for a specified mission is presented here. An inverse vehicle model is presented to calculate energy consumption as a function of acceleration and velocity. Given the non-linear nature of the problem and the varying constraints the dynamic programming method was chosen to solve the optimisation problem. An iterative approach, combining dynamic programming with advanced root finding methods is proposed to reduce computational time. Using hardware-in-the-loop settings the theoretically optimal velocity profiles were tested on an engine test bench. With this the potential gains of eco-driving were verified and important factors for eco-driving were identified.