A maximum permissible acceleration is calculated so as to take into
account vehicle stability, driver's comfort, road surface information and
traffic information, driver's specific taste in acceleration and
deceleration, and the like. An acceleration limiting process is carried
out, in which a feedback gain in vehicle speed feedback control is
corrected as may be necessary based on a relationship between the maximum
permissible acceleration and actual acceleration information so as to
keep the actual acceleration within the maximum permissible acceleration.
The present invention thereby makes it possible to control a vehicle
speed within a desired acceleration range even under conditions, in which
there is a large vehicle speed deviation as in a resume mode, causing an
excessively large acceleration or deceleration to tend to occur. Auto
cruise control offering an outstanding safety and comfort can thus be
implemented.