You find the source code for our examples in the software-folder:

C++

cd ~\dev\software\central_routing_example

Goal

A variable number of vehicles drive randomly on the map with no collisions:

Map representation

The program is based on the routing graph for the map layout.

Sources:

C++

cd ~/dev/software/central_routing_example/src/lane_graph.hpp

MATLAB

cd ~/dev/software/matlab_scripts/map_print/map_print2/lane_graph.m

Each node is a base point for the trajectory. The graph edges correspond to center lines, along which a vehicle may drive. Parallel lanes are not modeled, instead extra edges are added for lane changes in discrete locations.

Preparation I : Write a class "LaneGraphTools"

In this class implement the follwing requirements:

• The constructor calculates the length of each waysegment between two neibourghed points.
• The constructor defines a vector called "jobs" where all jobs are listed with the information, if the minimal distance of 0.01 between two vehicles is undergone (called collision) or not. All possible collisions, between all pairs of path nodes are checked. The result (boolean: collision yes/no?) is cached. The collision decision is based on the rectangle-rectange distance between the vehicles.
• Create a function which defines for each path if it can be matched to an edge on the map
• Create a function which finds the subsequent edges of a trajectory
• Create a function which helps you to move along the route. Take into account the remaining distance on the current edge to next node and the changing to the next edge if neccessary.

  The reference state of a vehicle in the graph is stored as the triple (edge_index, path_index, s_offset [in meters]):

  size_t current_edge_index = 0;
  size_t current_edge_path_index = 0;
  double delta_s_path_node_offset = 0;

  The following image shows a reference state that would be stored as (edge_index = 11, path_index = 1, s_offset = 0.01m).

  

  The function LaneGraphTools::move_along_route moves the reference state along the given route by a given distance.

  For example, assume that the distance between path nodes in the above image is 0.02 m (except for the end nodes 0/3, which are in the same location). We want to move the reference state by 0.055 m.

  Inputs: route = (11, 42), state = (11, 1, (0.01+0.055))

  The state input is then modified to (42, 1, 0.015).

cd ~/dev/software/central_routing_example/src/LAneGraphTools.cpp

Preparation II: Write a class called "VehicleTrajectoryPlanningState"

In this class implement the follwing requirements:

• Create a vector that contains the speed profile of each vehicle. The minimum of the maximum speed of the vehicle and the speed of the previous timestep is to be chosen and written in the vector.

  How the vehicle moves along the path over time is defined by the speed profile. The speed profile is the function of the vehicle speed over time. When the speed profile is constructed and modified, it is done such that the given maximum speed, minimum speed and maximum acceleration are never exceeded. When both the speed profile and the path are given, they can be combined to form the trajectory. The traveled distance (arc length) is calculated by integrating (i.e. summing) the speed profile.

• Create a function that randomly adds new edges to the current trajectory for each vehicle. For each vehicle a random route is selected. This route is dynamically extended as time progresses. The route is represented as a list of edge indices. Since every edge is part of a cycle, the route can be extended indefinitely.

 cd ~/dev/software//central_routing_example/src/geometry.hpp

• Create a function that can apply the movement of the vehicle for each timestep to the map. It will buffer the transition from the planning phase to the buffer phase. Use the function "move_along_route" of your LaneGraphTools. Get new random route description from your new function.
• Write a function to get trajectory points for each vehicle. This shall contain the time elapsed in nanoseconds, the position in x and y and the speed for the direction in x and in y.
• Create a function that sets the speed for each vehicle.
• Create a function that avoids collisions between two vehicles by measuring the distance between two vehicles and reducing the speed of one vehicle. Use priority based decision making, when collision is predicted. In this case choose the vehicle witht he smaller ID to reduce the speed. This process has to be repeated until all predicted collisions are resolved. If it is not possible to resolve all collisions, the program shall stop. As a result, vehicle 1 never slows down. Vehicle 2 slows to avoid vehicle 1. Vehicle 3 slows to avoid vehicles 1 and 2, and so on.  The speed is increased and decreased in small increments over time, to maintain the maximum acceleration.

  

  Sources

  Priorities

  cd ~/dev/software/central_routing_example/src/MultiVehicleTrajectoryPlanner.cpp#L49

  
  Collision prediction

     cd ~/dev/software/central_routing_example/src/VehicleTrajectoryPlanningState.cpp#L121
     cd ~/dev/software/central_routing_example/src/VehicleTrajectoryPlanningState.cpp#L162

Preparation III: Write a class called "MultiVehicleTrajectoryPlanner"

• Create a function that can add a new vehicle.
• Create a function called "start" that will buffer the trajectory planning. Implement the collision avoidance in this function.

Main Program

Waiting Mode

The program shall start in waiting mode. It will transition into the running mode, when the following conditions are met.

• Vehicle IPS observations were received for all expected vehicles.
• All vehicles could be matched to the graph. All vehicles must be close to a center-line and oriented correctly.

Running Mode

The route planning and collision avoidance shall run independently of the vehicle's actual behaviour. It is assumed that the vehicles follow the reference trajectories with sufficient accuracy.

Define phases for your program:

• Routing phase: Select route sufficiently far into the future. However the timeline is not precisely defined at this stage.
• Planning phase: Fix route and phase. Only the speed profile can be changed to avoid collisions. The planning phase considers a constant (but configurable) time span (currently 48 sec).
• Buffering phase: Fully define and commit trajectory. The purpose of the buffer phase is to allow for delays, both in sending the commands over the network and in the planning phase. For a particularly difficult collision avoidance, the planning phase may have a long computation time. The buffer phase can "absorb" this delay jitter.

Apply

Start via Lab Control Center

If you use the real lab application, make sure that the supporting software (LCC, IPS) is running and that the vehicles are online (only the ID LED is still blinking, all three other LEDs are turned on) and placed on the map. Assure that you activated Lab mode in the LCC. Then load your example in the LCC and hit "Deploy". The example does not start, if collision cannot be avoided. Therefore make sure not to have to many vehicles selected. Usually up to 10 vehicles will work fine.

Start via Terminal

In a new terminal, run:

cd ~/dev/software/central_routing_example
./run.bash 2,3,5,7,11

The list of integers in the run command must be the exact list of vehicle IDs for the active vehicles. The resulting trajectories will be shown in the LCC.