A methodology for assessing eco-cruise control for passenger vehicles

This paper compares and assesses fuel consumption models, cost functions, and solution methods, as they all have an influence on the resulting profile and associated fuel savings of an eco-cruise control system for passenger vehicles. An eco-cruise control system uses road topographical data obtained from a high-resolution digital map to control the vehicle velocity to optimize its fuel consumption. The optimal velocity profile is the result of an optimal control problem.

► We compare methods to calculate the optimal velocity profile over hilly roads.
► A simple quadratic power-based quasistatic fuel consumption model is appropriate.
► An indirect time constraint should be added to the cost function.
► Eco-cruise control can save about 5% of fuel compared to conventional cruise control.