A predictive cruise control system utilizes information about the current vehicle
position, and upcoming terrain to save fuel and increase driving comfort. A vehicle
operating cost function is defined, based on a plurality of environmental parameters,
vehicle parameters, vehicle operating parameters and route parameters. As the vehicle
travels over a particular route for which route parameters, such as road gradient
and curvature, are stored in a road map, sensors aboard the vehicle detect environmental
and vehicle operating parameters, including at least vehicle speed and its position
relative to the road map. As the vehicle proceeds, an onboard computer iteratively
calculates and stores in a memory vehicle control parameters that optimize the
vehicle operating cost function for a predetermined prediction horizon along the
route ahead of the vehicle. The optimal vehicle control parameters for the Prediction
Horizon are then stored, updated and used to control the vehicle.