Modelling and comparison of two drives for a position-controlled automated electric vehicle

The operation of automated vehicles at close headways offers an instrument to enhance infrastructure utilisation. To study the control requirements for a 1-tonne electric vehicle, computer models of permanent-magnet brushless and switched reluctance drives are developed and compared. The performance envelope of the vehicle when maintaining or altering relative position with respect to other vehicles is defined and controllers (PI) are designed. Results show that both drives deliver similar and appropriate transient responses.