Automatic Overtaking Path Planning and Trajectory Tracking Control Based on Critical Safety Distance

The overtaking process for autonomous vehicles must prioritize both efficiency and safety, with safe distance being a crucial parameter. To address this, we propose an automatic overtaking path planning method based on minimal safe distance, ensuring both maneuvering efficiency and safety. This method combines the steady movement and comfort of the constant velocity offset model with the smoothness of the sine function model, creating a mixed-function model that is effective for planning lateral motion. For precise longitudinal motion planning, the overtaking process is divided into five stages, with each stage’s velocity and travel time calculated. To enhance the control system, the model predictive control (MPC) algorithm is applied, establishing a robust trajectory tracking control system for overtaking. Numerical simulation results demonstrate that the proposed overtaking path planning method can generate smooth and continuous paths. Under the MPC framework, the autonomous vehicle efficiently and safely performs automatic overtaking maneuvers, showcasing the method’s potential to improve the performance and reliability of autonomous driving systems.