Vehicle control method and vehicle control device

A control method for a vehicle, comprising:

• executing automated follow-up travel control in which a subject vehicle is controlled to follow-up a preceding vehicle and to make a stop without depending on a braking operation performed by a driver;
• when the subject vehicle and the preceding vehicle are at a stop during execution of the automated travel control and when the driver is not stepping on a brake pedal or a steering angle of steering is not a predetermined value or more, presenting start-moving command information at a first time for reminding the driver of a start-moving command for the subject vehicle before the preceding vehicle starts moving;
• and
• when the driver commands the subject vehicle to start moving after the start-moving command information is presented at the first time and when it is detected that the preceding vehicle for which the stop is detected starts moving, determining that the preceding vehicle is at a stop;
• after a period of time, presenting the start-moving command for a second time;
• and
• after the start-moving command is presented at the second time and after the driver commands the subject vehicle to start moving, controlling the subject vehicle to start moving.

A control apparatus for a vehicle, comprising:

• a travel controller configured to execute automated follow-up travel control in which a subject vehicle is controlled to follow-up a preceding vehicle and to make a stop without depending on a braking operation performed by a driver;
• and
• a presentation device configured to, when the subject vehicle and the preceding vehicle are at a stop during execution of the automated travel control, present a start-moving command information at a first time for reminding the driver of a start-moving command for the subject vehicle before the preceding vehicle starts moving,
• the travel controller being further configured to, when the driver commands the subject vehicle to start moving after the start-moving command information is presented and when it is detected that the preceding vehicle for which the stop is detected starts moving, control the subject vehicle to start moving,
• wherein when a predetermined first period of time elapses and a determination is made that the driver does not step on a brake pedal, a steering angle of steering is not a predetermined value or more, and the follow-up travel control can be executed are satisfied, the start-moving command information is presented, and
• wherein when the preceding vehicle is determined to be at a stop for a period of time after the driver commands the subject vehicle to start moving, the presentation device is configured to display the start-move command at a second time.