A Hierarchical Approach to Optimal Path-Planning and Path Control for an Autonomous Vehicle

This paper presents a path-planning and path-control concept for autonomous driving with a track guided vehicle. The specification of an adequate reference trajectory is performed by solving a nonlinear optimal-control problem considering realistic constraints like available road width or maximum tolerable longitudinal and lateral accelerations. The path-control system is based upon decoupling and linearization of the nonlinear control plant with the help of substitute control variables. Some driving experiments are shown to prove the operability of the system.