Abstract: A method for operating a drive train of a motor vehicle having a combustion engine and a further machine, the two drives proportionally supplying a torque for the motor vehicle, and a temperature of an exhaust gas of the motor vehicle is ascertained and the shares of the generated torque by the combustion engine and the further machine are adapted as a function of the temperature of the exhaust gas.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, a catalyst provided in an exhaust passage of the internal combustion engine, and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to control an engine torque such that a first torque change amount of the engine torque when the temperature of the catalyst belongs to a predetermined low temperature region to be lower than a second torque change amount of the engine torque when the temperature of the catalyst belongs to a high temperature region. The high temperature region is a region having a temperature higher than the low temperature region.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving gradeability of a hybrid electric vehicle are described. More particularly, an electric motor of the hybrid electric vehicle may be used to augment engine torque generated by an internal combustion engine of the hybrid electric vehicle with motor torque generated by the electric motor during periods when a desired acceleration of the hybrid electric vehicle demands a target driveforce that exceeds a maximum driveforce generated by the internal combustion engine at a particular gear ratio of the transmission of the hybrid electric vehicle. Augmenting the engine torque with the motor torque during such periods of acceleration may delay a downshift of the transmission to a lower gear ratio thereby improving a driver experience.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnostics of an exhaust tuning valve during vehicle-off conditions. In one example, the engine may be reverse rotated, unfueled while the position of the exhaust is varied and an intake air flow is estimated at each position of the exhaust tuning valve. The exhaust tuning valve may be diagnosed based on a change in air flow with the variation in the position of the exhaust tuning valve.

Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus to be mounted on a vehicle including an engine includes a first power supply system, a second power supply system, a switch, and a switch controller. The first power supply system includes a first electricity storage device and an electric load. The second power supply system includes an electric motor and a second electricity storage device. The switch controller is configured to control the switch to a cutoff state on the condition that the electric motor is controlled to a powering state to bring the engine to starting rotation from a stopped state. The switch controller is configured to control the switch to an electrically conductive state on the condition that the electric motor is controlled to the powering state to bring the engine to an assisted drive from a rotating state.

Abstract: A method of performing an autonomous parking maneuver of a vehicle begins with a human vehicle operator/driver issuing a command to a parking assistance system that the parking maneuver requires at least one vehicle wheel to encounter a vertical obstruction (such as a curb) undetected by a sensor providing information to the system. In reaction to the command, the parking assistance system enters an operating mode wherein a setpoint speed of the vehicle during the maneuver is decreased to operate the engine with a greater torque reserve so that it is better adapted to deal with the vertical obstruction. A brake system condition may also be changed when in the operating mode, such as decreasing a brake disk/pad distance. The command may be issued by a vehicle operator standing outside of the vehicle.

Abstract: Accident location data and present vehicle feature data may be obtained, wherein the accident location data indicates one or more locations associated with one or more vehicular accidents, and the present vehicle feature data indicates one or more sets of vehicle features. A set of prediction model parameters of a prediction model may be configured based on the accident location data and the present vehicle feature data for prediction of damage-reduction-related values associated with a set of available vehicle features. The prediction model may be used to determine one or more damage-reduction-related values based on first vehicle data indicating a first vehicle, a set of vehicle features available to the first vehicle, and a first geospatial location. A first set of features for the first vehicle may be generated based on the damage-reduction-related values.

Abstract: In some implementations, an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle is capable of using a collision prediction system to determine a confidence that any objects detected within a vicinity of the vehicle are on a trajectory that will collide with the vehicle. Laser obstacle points derived from recent sensor readings of one or more sensors of a vehicle are initially obtained. The laser obstacle points are projected into a pose coordinate system to generate an occupancy grid of a vicinity of the vehicle. A confidence that any objects represented by the laser obstacle points are on a trajectory that will collide with the vehicle is determined by applying a particle filter to the occupancy grid.

Abstract: An apparatus and corresponding methods for detecting a tailgating situation involving a second motor vehicle behind an automated vehicle, and performing an automated safety routine in response to the detected tailgating situation. The tailgating situation is detected based on a simultaneous occurrence of two or more conditions involving an estimated time to collision, lateral offsets of both vehicles with respect to a center of a lane, activation of a turn signal blinker of the second motor vehicle, or flashing of a headlamp of the second motor vehicle. The safety routine includes performing a lane change to an adjacent lane. When no adjacent lanes are available for a lane change, a maximum permissible deceleration rate is decreased while increasing a time gap between the automated vehicle and a third motor vehicle directly in front of the automated vehicle by automatically adjusting an amount of at least one of acceleration or braking.

Abstract: A method for determining avoidance trajectories for a collision-free avoidance maneuver of transportation vehicles, wherein trajectory data describing a collection of possible driving trajectories is received from at least one trajectory generator for each transportation vehicle in real time, and a respective avoidance trajectory is determined in real time for each transportation vehicle based on the collection of possible driving trajectories for that transportation vehicle. For each transportation vehicle, the driving trajectories are divided into groups, and each group is represented by a single respective group trajectory.

Abstract: An electric power steering device includes: a steering torque sensor that detects a steering torque; a current command value calculation unit that calculates a current command value based on the steering torque; an electric motor that generates a steering assist torque; a motor control unit that controls and drives the electric motor based on the current command value; a navigation controller and a GPS receiver that detects position information of a vehicle; and an operation assist unit that stores, in a map database, the steering torque detected by the steering torque sensor and the position information of the vehicle upon detection of the steering torque in association with each other and executes operation assist processing for assisting the driver in operating the steering wheel based on a past steering torque corresponding to current position information.

Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus configured to perform driving aid control using map information stored in a storage, where the map information includes attribute information concerning roads on which a vehicle carrying the apparatus may travel and widths of the respective roads. In the vehicle control apparatus, a road recognizer is configured to recognize a travelled road that is a road on which the own vehicle is traveling. An information acquirer is configured to acquire the attribute information of the travelled road. An image acquirer is configured to acquire an image captured by the imager. A search range setter is configured to, using the attribute information acquired by the information acquirer, set a search range in the captured image for searching for a road border that is an edge or a demarcation line of the travelled road. A border recognizer is configured to recognize the road border in the search range.

Abstract: A follow-up start control device for a vehicle includes a recognition unit, a first determination unit, a second determination unit, a controller, an estimation unit, and a setting unit. The recognition unit is configured to detect a stop and a start of a preceding vehicle. The first determination unit is configured to determine presence or absence of a traffic jam on a road. The second determination unit is configured to compare stop time with permission time. The controller is configured to execute a follow-up automatic start control when the second determination unit determines that the stop time is equal to or shorter than the permission time. The estimation unit is configured to estimate a category of the road, when the first determination unit determines the presence of the traffic jam. The setting unit is configured to set the permission time, in accordance with the category of the road.

Abstract: A trailer backup assist system is provided herein. The system includes a calibration feature for calibrating an imaging device used for hitch angle detection. The system also employs multiple hitch angle detection methods, a number of which may run in parallel to increase the intervals at which a hitch angle can be measured. The system additionally includes a predictive feature in which a hitch angle can be predicted in instances where a trailer sensing device fails. The system is further configured to estimate a trailer length and generate steering commands that are invariant to the estimated trailer length under certain conditions.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus includes management of coasting during operation of a vehicle. Speed of a vehicle is monitored during a coasting event and is compared against a threshold to determine whether to remain coasting or re-engage an engine to a driveline. If instantaneous speed exceeds the threshold, predicted speed can be used to determine whether to permit short duration excursions, or to re-engage the engine to the driveline. These techniques can be used whether the vehicle is slowing down below a threshold or speeding up above a threshold.

Abstract: An electrically-driven mining vehicle includes an obstacle detector, a speed detector, and an alarm. The alarm outputs a first warning, which urges an operator of the electrically-driven mining vehicle to operate a regenerative brake pedal that actuates only the regenerative brake device, and a second warning, which urges the operator to operate a cooperative brake pedal that uses the regenerative brake device and the mechanical brake device in combination. If the travel speed of the vehicle is included in a low speed range in which no difference can be considered to exist in distance between a first braking distance upon actuation of only the regenerative brake device and a second braking distance upon operation of a cooperative braking, a signal for performing the first warning is outputted earlier by at least a warning time interval.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for a lane assist system that prepares the vehicle to move from a current lane to an adjacent lane. The lane assist system includes a sensor for detecting one or more surrounding vehicles in an adjacent lane and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is connected to the sensor. The electronic control unit is configured to predict or determine predict or determine that the vehicle intends to or is moving from a current lane to an adjacent lane. The electronic control unit is configured to determine one or more locations of the one or more surrounding vehicles in the adjacent lane, and control operations of the vehicle to prepare the vehicle for a lane change to a first open space or area in the adjacent lane based on the one or more locations of the one or more surrounding vehicles.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to reduce discomfort of a driver, by appropriately controlling a vehicle, when driving a vehicle capable of changing a plurality of different traveling states of a power transmission state and a traveling state of an engine during traveling. The present invention is a vehicle control device for controlling a vehicle having a power transmission mechanism which controls a power transmission state between an engine and an axle, and braking means.

Abstract: The present teaching relates to method, system, and medium, for operating a vehicle. The method includes the steps of receiving Real-time data related to the vehicle are received. A current mode of operation of the vehicle is determined. A first risk associated with the current mode of operation of the vehicle is evaluated based on the real-time data in accordance with a risk model. If the first risk satisfies a first criterion, a second risk associated with switching the current mode to a different mode of operation of the vehicle is determined. The vehicle is switched from the current mode to the different mode if the second risk satisfies a second criterion.

Abstract: A control arrangement for use in a drive arrangement of a vehicle includes an engine, a hydrostatic transmission, a load sensing means configured to detect a load on the engine, and an engine speed controller for controlling the engine. The arrangement further includes a pressure control means configured to act on a pressure in the hydrostatic transmission and a drive controller. The load sensing means generates a first signal, and based on the first signal, the drive controller generates a second signal for the engine speed controller and the pressure control means.

Abstract: A system and method for path planning of autonomous vehicles based on gradient are disclosed. A particular embodiment includes: generating and scoring a first suggested trajectory for an autonomous vehicle; generating a trajectory gradient based on the first suggested trajectory; generating and scoring a second suggested trajectory for the autonomous vehicle, the second suggested trajectory being based on the first suggested trajectory and a human driving model; and outputting the second suggested trajectory if the score corresponding to the second suggested trajectory is within a score differential threshold relative to the score corresponding to the first suggested trajectory.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes an actuator configured to control vehicle steering, acceleration, or shifting, a sensor configured to capture images of a region exterior to the vehicle, and a controller in communication with the actuator and the sensor. The controller is configured to selectively control the actuator according to a primary mode and a secondary mode. The controller is additionally configured to detect liquid on a driving surface proximate the vehicle, to estimate a depth of the liquid based on images captured by the sensor, and to control the actuator in the secondary mode in response to the depth exceeding a predefined threshold.

Abstract: An occupant support adapted for use in a vehicle includes a seat bottom, a seat back, and a sensory system. The seat bottom is coupled to a floor of the vehicle. The seat back extends upwardly away from the seat bottom. The sensor system is configured to monitor for fatigue of an occupant of the occupant support.

Abstract: A driving evaluation device includes a processor. The processor is configured to acquire vehicle information including a vehicle speed in each trip of a vehicle, evaluate an economical level of each trip of the vehicle based on smallness of change in vehicle speed, and change an evaluation method of the economical level based on the smallness of the change in vehicle speed according to the maximum speed in each trip.

Abstract: This disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for automatically detecting an impending bailout from a vehicle such as a police truck or an emergency response vehicle. In one exemplary method, a computer is configured to detect a driving pattern of the vehicle that would indicate that the driver of the vehicle is about to bail out. The driving pattern can include an acceleration sequence and a braking sequence that is indicative of a police chase or an emergency response situation. In another exemplary method, the computer may determine that the driver of the vehicle is about to bail out based on detecting one or more cue words uttered by the driver or included in a conversation over a radio communications device between the driver and a person outside the vehicle.

Abstract: A method is described for computing a friction estimate between a road surface and a tire of a vehicle when the vehicle is in motion along a course, the tire being arranged on a steerable wheel of the vehicle, and the vehicle including two front wheels and two rear wheels and an axle rack pivotably attached to a linkage arm connected to the steerable wheel such that a translational motion of the axle rack causes the linkage arm to rotate about a kingpin element such that the linkage arm causes a turning motion of the steerable wheel. A corresponding system and vehicle are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing Distance To Empty (DTE) includes: a sensor for generating environmental condition information; a battery control unit for generating battery available energy according to battery state information by sensing a battery; and a vehicle control unit for generating an available energy dual map having the battery available energy and converted available energy generated by reflecting the environmental condition information, and for calculating DTE according to the available energy dualization map.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to identifying changes within a surrounding environment of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes collecting, using at least one sensor of the vehicle, sensor data about the surrounding environment. The method includes analyzing the sensor data to identify features of the surrounding environment. The features are landmarks of the surrounding environment that are indicated within a map of the surrounding environment. The sensor data indicates at least measurements associated with the features as acquired by the at least one sensor. The method includes computing persistence likelihoods for the features according to a persistence model that characterizes at least prior observations of the features and relationships between the features. The persistence likelihoods indicate estimated persistences of the features to indicate whether the features likely still exist.

Abstract: A fuel economy and comfort control apparatus is provided for a motor vehicle. That apparatus includes a plurality of sensors and a controller. The controller is configured to determine and advise an operator of the motor vehicle of the most fuel efficient mode of operating a climate control system of the motor vehicle to maintain occupant comfort while optimizing fuel efficient operation of the motor vehicle. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A travel control method controls travel of an own vehicle to locate a lateral position of the own vehicle at a predetermined position with respect to a lane marker of a lane in which the own vehicle is traveling or with respect to a preceding vehicle, and reduces a control amount on travel from when control on the travel of the own vehicle is started until a predetermined time passes to be smaller than a control amount on the travel after the predetermined time has passed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are directed to monitoring the status of a vehicle controller or other autonomy system during operation of an autonomous vehicle. In one example, a system includes one or more processors; and memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations. The operations include obtaining a message from a vehicle controller. The operations further include, based at least partly on the message, determining whether a failure mode exists. The operations further include providing, in response to determining the failure mode exists, one or more commands to implement a safety measure response for the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: Embodiments include apparatus and methods for matching activities with one or more segments. A series of road segments, which may form a route to at least one destination, are identified. A road property for at least one of the segments is accessed. An activity or activity sequence is selected based on the road property for the at least one of the segments.

Abstract: A method and a device are provided for deactivating a driver assistance system for autonomous transverse guidance of a vehicle, which driver assistance system has a sensor unit for detecting a contact with the rim of a steering wheel by a driver, and a control unit which detects, via the detected contact, a request by the driver to transfer from the autonomous transverse guidance into a manual transverse guidance by the driver. The pressure sensor constitutes at least one pressure sensor, which extends over at least that part of the surface of the steering wheel rim which is usually touched by the driver's hands. It does not extend over the area of the surface of the steering wheel rim which, viewed in a cross section of the steering wheel rim, describes an approximately circular-segment-shaped arc which extends over a sector angle of the order of magnitude of 90°, which arc is spaced apart as far as possible from the center point of the steering wheel.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed to alter the driving profile of a vehicle. An example method disclosed herein determines, based on a user selection, a desired driving profile to apply to a vehicle. The example method includes identifying a set of alterations to operating parameters of vehicle systems associated with the desired driving profile. The example method includes determining a subset of the set of alterations that the vehicle can execute, and in response to determining the subset that the vehicle can execute, applying the subset to the vehicle to produce the desired driving profile.

Abstract: An electric power supply apparatus for a vehicle includes a second switch for performing ON/OFF switching of electric power supply from a second power supply to a second control unit, a third switch for performing ON/OFF switching of a first drive signal to the second switch, and a switch control circuit for outputting a second drive signal to the second switch when predetermined conditions are satisfied. The second switch is turned on when the first drive signal or the second drive signal is input, and the second switch is turned off when the first drive signal and the second drive signal are not input.

Abstract: In one aspect, a device includes a processor and storage accessible to the processor. The storage includes instructions executable by the processor to access data associated with at least one road and, based on the data, identify a first route to a destination as involving less manual driving by a human driver than a second route to the destination. The instructions are also executable by the processor to output directions for an autonomous vehicle to follow the first route to the destination.

Abstract: A safety system that provides specific warnings to an occupant of a vehicle engaged in a certain activity that can cause an adverse outcome in an event of a Sudden Decrease in Ride Smoothness (an SDRS event). The safety system includes a sensor that takes measurements of the vehicle compartment, and a computer that estimates, based on the measurements, whether the occupant of the vehicle is engaged in a certain activity that can lead to an adverse outcome in case of an SDRS event. Responsive to receiving an indication indicative of an imminent SDRS event and estimating that the occupant is engaged in the certain activity, the computer provides a specific warning to the occupant. The specific warning describes a specific action related to the certain activity, which the occupant should take.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing notifications to be presented in a vehicle. Information is received wirelessly from a vehicle sensor system of the vehicle. The information includes position information and driver behavior information. A notification condition is detected based on the information. In response to a detection of the notification condition, a notification is selected to send to the vehicle based on the information. The notification is sent wirelessly to the vehicle for presentation via an output system in the vehicle.

Abstract: A driving control method compares, in a vehicle capable of switching manual driving to run the vehicle according to driving operations of an occupant and automated driving to automatically run the vehicle from one to another, occupant's driving characteristics of manual driving in a present trip of the vehicle with reference driving characteristics stored in advance, and if a predetermined deviation occurs between the occupant's driving characteristics of manual driving in the present trip and the reference driving characteristics, sets driving characteristics applied to the automated driving according to the occupant's driving characteristics of manual driving in the present trip.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle control device provided in a vehicle and a method of controlling the vehicle. A vehicle control device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a communication unit configured to perform communication with a shoe, a sensing unit configured to sense information related to the vehicle and a position of the shoe, and a processor configured to control the communication unit such that the shoe outputs an alarm based on a situation in which the vehicle is to be accelerated or decelerated and the position of the shoe when the situation is detected through the sensing unit.

Abstract: A gondola railcar cleanout door is configured to be coupled to a side plate of a railcar adjacent a railcar floor wherein the side plate and floor each have an opening therein. The cleanout door includes a frame mountable to the railcar side plate structure, adjacent the side plate structure opening; and a door assembly coupled to the frame and moveable between an open position in which the openings in the floor and the side plate may be used to clean out the interior of the railcar, and a closed position substantially closing the openings in the side plate and the floor, wherein the door assembly includes a door side wall member configured to substantially close the opening in the side plate in the closed position and a door floor member configured to substantially close the opening in the floor in the closed position.

Abstract: A railway freight car bogie includes a side frame, a bolster and a friction damper. The friction damper includes a wedge, a constant friction damping spring, a variable friction damping spring and an ejector rod. The variable friction damping spring in the middle and below the wedge is deviated at a distance in a direction away from a center of the bolster with respect to damping springs at two sides of the variable friction damping spring. An axis of each of the constant friction damping spring and the ejector rod is coincident with an axis of the variable friction damping spring in the middle and below the wedge. The bogie not only has an ideal relative friction coefficient in both an unloaded condition and a loaded condition, a large diamond resistant rigidity, a better vertical dynamics performance and a better transverse dynamics performance.

Abstract: A wheel load adjusting tool includes at least one liner interposed between an axle box and a spring directly or indirectly supported by the axle box, the liner including: a pressure receiving portion configured to receive a load applied from the spring; a first engaging portion formed by recessing a part of an outer edge of the pressure receiving portion inward, the first engaging portion engaging with a first engaged portion to restrict the liner from being displaced with respect to the axle box, the first engaged portion projecting from an upper surface of the axle box; and a second engaging portion projecting outward from the pressure receiving portion at an opposite side of the first engaging portion, the second engaging portion engaging with a second engaged portion of the axle box to restrict the liner from being displaced and rotated with respect to the axle box.

Abstract: An example system for inspecting railcar axles includes a flash source, an infrared camera, and a trigger sensor. The flash source is configured to apply a thermal pulse toward a surface of a railcar axle of a railcar wheelset, while the railcar wheelset is on a track. The infrared camera is configured to capture infrared data indicative of a thermal response of the surface of the railcar axle to the thermal pulse. The trigger sensor is configured to trigger the flash source to apply the thermal pulse based on a position of the railcar wheelset on the track. The example system can also include a processor configured to determine whether the captured infrared data is indicative of a crack on the surface of the railcar axle, and a vision camera configured to capture an image of the surface of the railcar axle.

Abstract: A railroad measurement system includes a railroad track powered measurement device providing measurement signals of electrical quantities across rails of a railroad track; a wayside control device adapted to receive the measurement signals provided by the railroad track powered measurement device; and a communication network interfacing with the railroad track powered measurement device and adapted to transmit data, wherein the railroad track powered measurement device is adapted to transmit the measurement signals of the electrical quantities via the communication network, and the wayside control device is adapted to receive the measurement signals.

Abstract: The invention concerns a control and monitoring device for a switch machine of a railway switch comprising: a power supply for providing a switch motor of the switch machine with a current, the switch motor being adapted to move points of the railway switch, a relay having a primary contact connected electrically to the power supply via at least one line and a secondary contact adapted to be electrically connected to the switch motor; the relay being adapted to switch on and off the power provided to the switch motor; at least one current sensor adapted to sense the current to be provided to the switch motor at the at least one line between the power supply and the relay; at least one voltage sensor adapted to sense a voltage to be provided to the switch motor at the at least one line between the power supply and the relay; a monitoring module connected to the at least one current sensor and the at least one voltage sensor, wherein the monitoring module is adapted to record the measured current and voltage va

Abstract: A mounting arrangement (100) includes an attachment member (102) for attachment to an end of a post (114), a connecting member (104) coupled to the attachment member (102), and a plurality of fastening elements (110) coupling the connecting member (104) to the attachment member (102), each fastening element (110) comprising a longitudinal axis (110A), longitudinal axes (110A) of the plurality of fastening elements (110) being substantially parallel to each other. The connecting member (104) is coupled to the attachment member (102) in a direction defined by the longitudinal axes (110A) of the plurality of fastening elements (110), wherein the attachment member (102) and the connecting member (104) comprise mating cylindrical surfaces (118, 140) which allow a tilting motion of the connecting member (104) about a rotating axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axes (110A) of the plurality of fastening elements (110).

Abstract: A rail yard management system that takes advantage of infrastructure installed in rail yards and on railcars to allow the management of the railcars within a rail yard. The invention is also applicable to yard management for vehicles other than railcars.

Abstract: A method of exchanging application messages generated by an applications with a format specified by a predetermined protocol and then encapsulating the message with a railroad edge messaging protocol (EMP) header and a railroad Class D messaging transport header to form a packet for transmission across a railroad communications system.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle moving along a track of a transport network has an acquisition phase wherein an image is acquired by a video input on board the vehicle. The image represents a portion of the track of the transport network around the vehicle and information displayed by a display onboard the vehicle. The information represent at least part of a parameter relating to the vehicle and/or the transport network. During a processing phase, the displayed information are processed on the basis of the image by a processor, thereby allowing to control the vehicle on the basis of the parameter and/or image.