This dissertation presents a novel unified strategy to design adaptive cruise control (ACC) systems for platooning control applications compensating the negative effect of the lower-level time-lag, the parasitic time-delay, and the input disturbance on the collective car-following stability. The presented methodology applies to any linear and convex spacing functions, such that the strictest stability criterion is satisfied, i.e., the over-damped string stability condition. Indeed, the over-damped string stability criterion is a key feature for safety and comfort for any platooning systems. This condition also prevents oscillation, overshooting, and undershooting collective dynamics. Additionally, this criterion fulfills all the Lp string stability norms and guarantees collision avoidance.