This work focuses on computing time-optimal maneuvers which might be used to develop strategies for emergency maneuvers and establishing the vehicle' s performance envelope. The problem of emergency maneuvers is addressed in the context of time optimal control. Time optimal trajectories are computed along specified paths for a nonlinear vehicle model, which considers both lateral and longitudinal motions.

This work addresses two issues related to emergency maneuvers of autonomous vehicles. The first concerns the time-optimal speeds along specified path, which can be used to design emergency maneuvers. The second concerns the computation of optimal lane-change maneuvers for on- line collision avoidance. Although considering only a simple planar vehicle model, this work provides insights into the dynamic behavior of ground vehicles