Optimization of concurrent operation of predictive cruise control and idle coast management control

A method comprising:

• providing a powertrain including a prime mover and an electronically controllable clutch, the powertrain being controllable to engage the clutch to provide power from the prime mover to drive one or more ground contacting wheels and to disengage the clutch to decouple the one or more ground contacting wheels from the prime mover;
• operating an electronic control system in communication with the prime mover and the electronically controllable clutch, the electronic control system comprising a predictive cruise control (PCC) controller and an idle coast management (ICM) controller, the operation of the electronic control system comprising
• operating the PCC controller to control vehicle speed using a PCC speed reference value as a speed target, the PCC speed reference value being initially set in response to operator input, the PCC controller dynamically varying the PCC speed reference value in response to at least one of current road grade and look-ahead road grade,
• operating the ICM controller to engage and disengage the electronically controllable clutch in response to at least one of the current road grade and the look-ahead road grade, and
• during concurrent operation of the PCC controller and the ICM controller, operating the PCC controller to at least one of:
• in response to an ICM termination event, set the PCC speed reference value using a current vehicle speed, and
• in response to a downhill coasting operational state, modify the PCC speed reference value to avoid inhibiting operation of the ICM controller.

An apparatus comprising:

• a powertrain, including a prime mover and an electronically controllable clutch, wherein the powertrain is configured to selectably engage the clutch from the prime mover with one or more ground contacting wheels and to selectably disengage the clutch from one or more ground contacting wheels,
• an electronic control system in operative communication with the prime mover and the electronically controllable clutch, the electronic control system comprising a predictive cruise control (PCC) controller and an idle coast management (ICM) controller, the electronic control system being structured to
• control vehicle speed with the PCC controller using a PCC speed reference value as a speed target, the PCC speed reference value being initially set in response to operator input and being dynamically varied by the PCC controller in response to at least one of current road grade and look-ahead road grade,
• control engagement and disengagement of the electronically controllable clutch with the ICM controller in response to at least one of the current road grade and the look-ahead road grade, and
• during concurrent operation of the PCC controller and the ICM controller, at least one of:
• in response to an ICM termination event, set the PCC speed reference value using a current vehicle speed, and
• in response to a downhill coasting operational state, modify the PCC speed reference value to avoid inhibiting operation of the ICM controller.