AUTONOMOUS LOOK AHEAD METHODS AND SYSTEMS

Methods and systems are provided for controlling an autonomous vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: identifying, by a processor, at least one constraint on a longitudinal dimension of an upcoming road; defining, by the processor, constraint activation logic based on a type of the at least one constraint; performing, by the processor, the constraint activation logic to determine a state of the constraint to be at least one of active and inactive; when the state of the constraint is active, validating, by the processor, a motion plan of the autonomous vehicle based on the constraint; and selectively controlling the autonomous vehicle based on the validating of the motion plan.