The aerodynamic interaction of platooning and overtaking vehicles

开发具有更高效率和低碳排放的创新自动驾驶汽车（AV）引起了世界各地许多不同组织的兴趣，包括政治、商业和研究层面。到2025年，经济效益预计将达到1.5万亿英镑。认识到这一潜力，交通管理部门已经投入大量资金，通过开发“队列”方法来研究这些创新技术，即一系列车辆以紧密的队形行驶，通过减少阻力来利用潜在的节能，进一步实现更大的机动性。在不久的将来，货运行业可能会成为第一批在整个网络范围内引入自动驾驶技术的用户。英国道路网络为开发这些创新技术提供了理想的测试平台，因为在高度拥挤的网络中采用这种系统非常复杂，交通速度多变。确保自动驾驶汽车和队列驾驶方法适用于具有挑战性的运输系统，例如英国的运输系统，将使这些系统更容易在国际范围内被采用。到目前为止，大多数自动驾驶研究都集中在通过实施自动导航系统来确保车辆在近距离行驶时的技术可能性上。然而，在引入涉及复杂车辆相互作用的新操作方法时，这些因素只是考虑的一个方面。伯明翰大学（UoB）进行的基础研究（EP/N004213/1）表明，在许多情况下，空气动力将成为控制设计参数。有必要了解并正确解释排周围产生的高度湍流空气动力学流动和非定常力，这些非定常力会导致车辆不稳定，并给其他道路使用者带来危险。本提案涉及与近距离行驶车辆相关的车辆空气动力学技术领域以及与其他车辆和道路使用者的空气动力学相互作用。主要研究以下几个方面：-密集编队车辆（重型货车）的整体稳定性，特别是队列车辆和其他道路使用者之间的非定常气动流动的相互作用。-在稳定性和整体阻力方面对空气动力学的影响，对车队中与其他车辆偏离直线的车辆以及超车的相互作用。-通过的hgv车队与其他道路使用者的空气动力学相互作用会导致潜在的稳定性和安全问题。基础研究问题将通过新的方法来解决：-大华银行移动模型TRAIN钻机设施的基本物理建模程序。对车辆表面压力的详细测量（这样就可以计算空气动力）将决定流场的性质和车辆的空气动力相互作用。多孔压力探头测量将研究非定常流，以确定排排通过时潜在的稳定性和安全性影响。-制订分析架构，提供方法协助业界评估路边工人及其他道路使用者所承受的空气动力负荷。目前的研究被视为引入自动驾驶技术的必要先导。对这些实际问题的深入理解是这些新技术安全、及时和经济有效实施的基础。该项目将首次解决这些问题，发展对空气动力学影响的理解，不仅适用于车队，也适用于公共交通系统中与车队互动的其他道路使用者。自动驾驶汽车在全国的重要性是政府交通战略愿景的一个组成部分，对各种持份者都非常重要。

The development of innovative autonomous vehicles (AV) with increased efficiency and low carbon emissions is of interest to many different organisations across the world, at both political, commercial and research levels. Economically benefits are estimated to be worth £1.5 trillion by 2025. Recognising the potential, transportation authorities are already investing heavily in studies to exploit these innovative technologies through the development of 'platooning' methods, whereby a series of vehicles run in close formation, exploiting potential energy savings created through a reduction in drag, further enabling greater mobility. In the immediate future, it is likely the freight haulage industry will be the first users to introduce autonomous technologies on a network-wide scale. The UK road network provides the ideal test bed for developing these innovative technologies, due to the complexities of adopting such systems within a highly congested network, with traffic moving at variable speeds. Ensuring AVs and platooning methods are appropriate for challenging transport systems, such as that in the UK, will enable these systems to be adopted on an international scale more easily.To date, most AV research has focused on ensuring the technical possibilities for vehicles travelling in close formation through the implementation of autonomous guidance systems. These factors are however only one area of consideration when introducing new operational methods that involve complex vehicle interactions into an already a complex transport mode. Fundamental research undertaken at the University of Birmingham (UoB) (EP/N004213/1) has shown that aerodynamic forces will, in many cases, be the governing design parameter. There is a need to understand and correctly account for the highly turbulent aerodynamic flow created around platoons and unsteady forces leading to vehicle instabilities and dangerous conditions for other road users.This proposal is concerned with the technical area of vehicle aerodynamics associated with close running vehicles and the aerodynamic interactions with other vehicles and road users. In particular the following aspects will be investigated:-Overall stability of close formation vehicles (Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs)), particularly the interaction of unsteady aerodynamic flows between platooning vehicles and other road users.-The aerodynamic implications in terms of stability and overall drag for vehicles moving out of alignment with other vehicles in a platoon and the interaction of overtaking vehicles.-The aerodynamic interaction of a passing platoon of HGVs with other road users leading to potential stability and safety issues.The fundamental research questions will be addressed by novel approaches:-A fundamental physical modelling programme at the UoB moving model TRAIN rig facility. Detailed measurement of vehicle surface pressure (such that aerodynamic forces can be calculated) will determine the nature of the flow field and the aerodynamic interaction of vehicles. Multi-hole pressure probe measurements will investigate the unsteady flow to determine potential stability and safety implications as a platoon passes. -Development of an analytical framework, providing a method to help industry assess the magnitude of aerodynamic loads on roadside workers and other road users.The current study is seen as a necessary precursor to the introduction of AV technologies. In depth understanding of these practical issues underpins the safe, timely and cost effective implementation of these new technologies. This project will, for the first time, address these issues, developing an understanding of aerodynamic effects, not only for platooning vehicles but also other road users interacting with the platoon on public transport systems. The national importance of AVs forms an integral part of the Government strategic vision for transport and is of considerable importance to a variety of stakeholders.