A method includes detecting, via a processor of an autonomous vehicle, an upcoming downhill road segment of a route on which the autonomous vehicle is currently travelling. The detection is based on map data, camera data, and/or inertial measurement unit (IMU) data. In response to detecting the upcoming downhill road segment, a descent plan is generated for the autonomous vehicle. The descent plan includes a speed profile and a brake usage plan. The brake usage plan specifies a non-zero amount of retarder usage and an amount of foundation brake usage for a predefined time period. The method also includes autonomously controlling the autonomous vehicle, based on the descent plan, while the autonomous vehicle descends the downhill road segment.

A device and a method for controlling autonomous driving control a speed of an autonomous vehicle before downhill travel. The device and method calculate a travel resistance of an autonomous vehicle on a travel-intended-route, including a downhill route, a main braking pressure required to travel at a constant speed, and a brake temperature based on braking. The device and method determine whether to reduce the main braking pressure based on the calculated brake temperature and calculates a decreased amount of the main braking pressure and an increased amount of a speed of the autonomous vehicle based on the decreased amount of the main braking pressure on the travel-intended-route when determining to reduce the main braking pressure. The device and method limit a maximum speed of the autonomous vehicle before entering the travel-intended-route based on the increased speed amount.

A vehicular breaking force control system that includes a control device including a processor that acquires a plurality of longitudinal accelerations from a driving assistance system, and calculates a driving/braking request when the vehicle is in a coasting state in which an acceleration operation or a deceleration operation are not performed during running of the vehicle. The processor further acquires a driving force lower limit set for a powertrain actuator having a set gear ratio, and distributes the driving/braking request to at least one of (i) a powertrain system including the powertrain actuator and (ii) a brake system including a brake actuator. The driving/braking request is distributed to the at least one of the powertrain system and the brake system based on the acquired driving force lower limit.

A travel controller including an information acquisition part configured to acquire brake state information of a braking device of a host vehicle and an ACC-ECU configured to perform travel control, wherein the travel control includes constant speed travel control and headway travel control. The constant speed travel control is configured to control the host vehicle to travel at constant speed in accordance with a preset target vehicle speed. The headway travel control is configured to control the host vehicle to travel by following another vehicle travelling ahead so that a predetermined inter-vehicle distance in maintained with the other vehicle and the host vehicle travels in accordance with the target vehicle speed. In the ACC-ECU, when a braking performance index of the host vehicle has a “declined value”, a target acceleration of Example 1 takes a reduced value compared to the target acceleration of Comparative Example for a common distance difference.

A vehicle includes a control system, a sensing system that senses an environment of the vehicle, and a propulsion system, a braking system, and a steering system that are operated by the control system to navigate the vehicle according to the sensing system and without direct human control. The propulsion system and the braking system are operated by the control system to cooperatively decelerate the vehicle. The braking system includes an inboard friction brake that is associated with one or more wheels of the vehicle and does not form unsprung mass of the vehicle.

The invention involves a low speed control system and method for automatically regulating the speed of work vehicles or equipment and, more particularly, vehicles that apply, remove or modify roadways or road markings. The system includes a controller, a speed display, at least one rotary encoder or the like, and one or more Eddy current or mechanical brakes for inhibiting motion of the vehicle at the operator's control. The brakes may be pneumatic, spring operated, Eddy current, or hydraulic that are controlled in response to feedback from the at least one rotary encoder for compliance with the preset speed on the speed display. In another embodiment, a throttle control is also provided.

An automated parking system is equipped with an estimation unit that estimates a state of a target vehicle, and a setting unit that sets a running mode of the target vehicle as a low-risk running mode in which a risk regarding the target vehicle is reduced, on condition that the target vehicle be in a low-temperature state.

A travel controller includes: an information acquisition part configured to acquire braking state information of a braking device brake state, travel road information, and an ACC-ECU configured to perform travel, based on a set vehicle speed, and follow-up travel control under which the subject vehicle follows another vehicle traveling ahead thereof. After canceling activation of the travel control during the activation of the travel control, when the information acquisition part acquires travel road information showing that a travel road on which the subject vehicle is traveling is not a downhill road any longer, even if a braking performance index based on the braking state information acquired by the information acquisition part is not increased with respect to a second reference threshold, then the ACC-ECU allows the travel control activation to be resumed.

A cruise control system for a vehicle includes a controller configured to maintain a speed of the vehicle about a setpoint, and in response to predicted brake capacity falling below a threshold based on predicted brake fade, reduce the setpoint and downshift a transmission of the vehicle to increase negative torque to reduce brake fade. Also, a powertrain of a vehicle includes an engine, an automatic transmission coupled with the engine, and a controller. The controller is configured to maintain a speed of the vehicle about a setpoint, and in response to a predicted brake capacity falling below a threshold based on predicted brake fade, reduce the setpoint and downshift the transmission to increase a negative torque.

A method of increasing engine braking of an engine for a vehicle, the method including: determining the change in kinetic energy of the vehicle over a period; determining the energy output from a drivetrain of the vehicle over the period; comparing the change in kinetic energy to the energy output; and increasing the engine braking of the vehicle when the change in kinetic energy is greater than the energy output over the period.