V2X communication messages for platooning in public transportation

Context

An important step towards fully automated vehicles is platooning, in which a lead vehicle driven by a person is automatically followed by a driverless vehicle. A central component of platooning is vehicle-to-vehicle communication, in which important information is exchanged between the vehicles. Research in this area often focuses on truck traffic, whereby communication is also strongly geared towards truck-specific requirements. In the context of this thesis, the message types, their definitions and communication processes are to be reconsidered in order to analyze platooning messages for all vehicle types, with a special focus on public transport vehicles. In particular, communication with the infrastructure, i.e. Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I), will also be considered.

Objectives

• Development of the state of the art of V2X communication and current platooning messages
• Adaptation and definition of platooning messages for local public transport
• Creation of a communication concept for the coupling and operation of platooning vehicles
• Implementation of the created concept in a suitable simulation environment
• Evaluation and comparison of the newly defined messages

Prerequisites

• Programming skills in Python/C/C++
• Interest in vehicle communication
• Ability to work independently