A MIXED REGULAR AND OPEN-SPACE TRAJECTORY PLANNING METHOD FOR AUTONOMOUS DRIVING VEHICLE

A computer-implement method for operating an ADV is disclosed. A starting point and an ending point of a route along which an ADV is to be driven is determined. Whether each of the starting point and the ending point is within a first driving area having a lane boundary or a second driving area as an open space is determined. The route is divided into a first route segment and a second route segment. Dependent upon whether the starting point or the ending point is within the first driving area or the second driving area, the method comprises operating in one of an on-lane mode or an open-space mode to plan a first trajectory for the first route segment and operating in one of the on-lane mode or the open-space mode to plan a second trajectory for the second route segment.