With the introduction of advanced digital road maps, which include information on the slope and curve radius of the highways, predictive control for standard and hybrid commercial vehicles, based on these maps, is about to be released by the vehicle manufacturers. For example, intelligent predictive cruise control has been announced for introduction in 2012 by Scania and Daimler. In addition, hybrid commercial city buses like MAN's Lion's City Hybrid have already been implemented. But the question remains about the type of vehicle suitable for the implementation of predictive intelligent concepts, due to the high investment cost compared to the sometimes relatively low operating cost savings. This study analyses usage and performance data collected from approximately 20,000 commercial vehicles, which include long distance trucks, distribution trucks, city buses and coaches, in order to answer the question which vehicle types should be equipped with intelligent predictive cruise control considering an economic reasonable return on investment.
