A solution of the minimum-time velocity planning problem based on lattice theory

Abstract: For a vehicle on an assigned path, we find the minimum-time speed law that satisfies kinematic and dynamic constraints, related to maximum speed and maximum tangential and transversal acceleration. We present a necessary and sufficient condition for the feasibility of the problem and a simple operator, based on the solution of two ordinary differential equations, which computes the optimal solution. Theoretically, we show that the problem feasible set, if not empty, is a lattice, whose supremum element corresponds to the optimal solution.