Adaptive cruise control system and method of operating the same

A method for operating an autonomous or semi-autonomous host vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving data measured from a plurality of sensors, wherein the measured data relates to one or more target vehicles in the host vehicle's field of view;
• receiving a desired speed command based on a driver-selected set-speed and the measured data;
• detecting a lane change by the host vehicle from a current lane to an adjacent lane based on an activation of a turn signal of the host vehicle;
• determining a relative speed between the host vehicle and a target vehicle in the adjacent lane;
• selecting a positive or a negative acceleration profile based on the relative speed and a plurality of operating conditions;
• calculating a modified speed command by adjusting the desired speed command according to the selected acceleration profile;
• and
• controlling a response of the host vehicle in an anticipatory manner that is designed to mimic a human driver's response based on the modified speed command.

A control system for a vehicle, the system comprising:

• a plurality of vehicle sensors configured to measure data relating to one or more target vehicles in the host vehicle's field of view;
• and
• an adaptive cruise control system configured to:
• receive the measured data relating to the one or more target vehicles;
• calculate a desired speed command based on a driver-selected set-speed and the measured data;
• detect initiation of a lane change by the host vehicle to a desired adjacent lane;
• in response to initiation of the lane change, select an acceleration profile based on at least one set of operating conditions;
• calculate a modified speed command by adjusting the desired speed command according to the selected acceleration profile;
• and
• control the host vehicle speed based on the modified speed command.