Optimizing Gear Shifts in an Automatic Transmission for Light Commercial Vehicles

The benefits of an adaptive gear change algorithm relative to a traditional approach based on fuel-economy charts are established, on the basis of simulations for the two strategies in a typical driving cycle for a light commercial vehicle. Finally, experimental data are presented for a vehicle in the new European driving cycle (NEDC) when using the two strategies, for purposes of comparison, to verify the mathematical models, and to determine the fuel efficiency.