Optimizing Gear Shifting Strategy for Off-Road Vehicle with Dynamic Programming

Abstract

Gear shifting strategy of vehicle is important aid for the acquisition of dynamic performance and high economy. A dynamic programming (DP) algorithm is used to optimize the gear shifting schedule for off-road vehicle by using an objective function that weighs fuel use and trip time. The optimization is accomplished through discrete dynamic programming and a trade-off between trip time and fuel consumption is analyzed. By using concave and convex surface road as road profile, an optimal gear shifting strategy is used to control the longitudinal behavior of the vehicle. Simulation results show that the trip time can be reduced by powerful gear shifting strategy and fuel consumption can achieve high economy with economical gear shifting strategy in different initial conditions and route cases.