| AVERT | This project is in progress |
| Adaptation of Vehicle Environmental Response by Telematics |
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Context The environmental performance of a road vehicle can be altered by various adjustments to the engine or the transmission, or even perhaps by changing the fuel. Hybrid vehicles will be able to change to a "zero emission" mode for a certain distance. There may be advantages in carrying out this adjustment automatically as the vehicle enters a sensitive area such as a city centre or in response to particular atmospheric conditions. The effect of such adjustments on the driveability and safety of the vehicle must be evaluated to decide whether the driver must be allowed to initiate the changes or at least be warned that such a change is about to take place. If these adjustments are made in response to a signal transmitted to the vehicle from the infrastructure, a communications protocol will be required that guarantees the accuracy and security of the signal. Aims To examine the safety, effectiveness and driveability issues arising from the automatic control of vehicles to enhance their environmental performance. To assess the benefits in reduced emissions that can be obtained by reducing vehicle performance (e.g. by limiting maximum speed or acceleration) via an adjustment of their engine management strategy. To study the driveability and safety aspects of switching between different operating modes of hybrid powertrains while the vehicle is in motion. To develop control strategies for hybrid and spark-ignition powertrains that will respond flexibly to external emissions control signals and the associated safety, security and communications protocols issues. To study the migration of single vehicle emissions performance predictions into macroscopic traffic models Method Undertake a detailed investigation into the environmental benefits to be gained from adjusting engine management strategies dynamically via external signals for gasoline, diesel and hybrid powertrains and how these adjustments might be carried out without compromising safety or driveability. Benefits An improvement in vehicle environmental performance when travelling in emissions sensitive areas Participants TRL Ltd Golden River Traffic MIRA Dr D Taylor University of Southampton Oxford Brookes University |
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