Automatic driver system, and a method of generating a speed reference in such a system

An automatic driver system for automatic control of a vehicle, comprising:

• means for calculating a speed reference Vref based on a plurality of parameters, said parameters including vehicle travel time management, delay in travel time and energy usage of said vehicle;
• means for generating an acceleration reference .gamma.ref based on acceleration limits of said vehicle and a way on which said vehicle travels;
• means for generating a traction command T based on changes in load of said vehicle and speed of said vehicle;
• and
• means for causing said vehicle to coast.

An automatic driver system, comprising:

• means for describing an operating situation of a vehicle by means of a variable .beta., said variable .beta. being determined by a difference between a present operating situation of the vehicle and reference situations including:
• a first precalculated reference situation corresponding to a minimum travel time and thus to a maximum possible speed over a distance;
• and
• a second precalculated reference situation corresponding to a maximum travel time and thus to a minimum speed over the distance;
• and
• means for determining a speed reference for the vehicle based on the variable .beta., where the variable .beta. is determined by comparing the present operating situation with the first precalculated reference situation and the second precalculated reference situation.