Methods for increasing traffic safety at a side junction

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for increasing traffic safety at a side junction (4) based on environmental sensors (20) of a motor vehicle (80), comprising the steps of acquiring (100) data to determine a viewing angle (Θ) of a driver of the motor vehicle (80) into the side junction (4) by means of the environmental sensors (20) of the motor vehicle (80), determining (200) the viewing angle (Θ) of the driver of the motor vehicle (80) on the basis of the acquired data by means of a processing unit (22) and estimating (300) at least one safety-relevant quantity on the basis of the determined viewing angle (Θ) by means of the processing unit (22).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and a system for increasing traffic safety at a side junction. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising such a system.

[0002] Intersections without right-of-way traffic signs, traffic lights, or police officers present particularly dangerous situations for both drivers and technical systems. To assess the hazard potential or a speed appropriate for safety reasons, visibility conditions at intersections must be considered. This is especially important for autonomous driving systems and vehicles, as such situations are complex to program and train.

[0003] It is therefore the object of the present invention to at least partially remedy the disadvantages described above, in particular it is the object of the present invention to provide a method and a system which enable a significant increase in traffic safety at a side junction in a simple and cost-effective manner.

[0004] The above object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1, a system according to claim 8, and a motor vehicle according to claim 11. Further features and details emerge from the subclaims, the description, and the drawings. Technical features disclosed for the method according to the invention also apply in connection with the system according to the invention and the motor vehicle according to the invention, and vice versa, so that with regard to the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention, reference is always made to each other. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0005] According to the invention, a method for increasing traffic safety at a side junction based on the environmental sensor system of a motor vehicle is provided. The method according to the invention comprises the steps of acquiring data for determining a viewing angle of a driver of the motor vehicle into the side junction using the environmental sensor system of the motor vehicle, determining the viewing angle of the driver of the motor vehicle based on the acquired data using a processing unit, and estimating at least one safety-relevant variable based on the determined viewing angle using the processing unit.

[0006] According to the invention, a method is therefore provided which, by determining a viewing angle of a driver of a motor vehicle, is designed to guarantee a significant increase in traffic safety at a lateral junction in a simple and cost-effective manner.

[0007] By applying the method according to the invention, it is possible in particular to predict the probability of a collision between two motor vehicles at a side junction and to avoid a collision by taking appropriate measures.

[0008] The method in question can preferably be used in a motor vehicle, such as a car or truck. However, it is also conceivable for use in other vehicles, such as commercial vehicles or the like.

[0009] A viewing angle of a motor vehicle driver into a side junction can, in particular, describe an area that the driver can see from their seat when looking sideways into an junction. A viewing angle can preferably describe a limited field of vision of the driver with respect to side streets or junctions. A safety-relevant variable can, in objective terms, preferably be understood as a collision probability of a motor vehicle with another motor vehicle or another road user, or, for example, a speed of a motor vehicle that is acceptable for safety reasons.

[0010] The data for determining a driver's viewing angle of the motor vehicle can, in particular, include the arrangement, positioning, and size of objects positioned at the side junction that could potentially obstruct the view. Furthermore, the data for determining a driver's viewing angle of the motor vehicle can include a current vehicle position.

[0011] It is understood that the units provided for carrying out the method steps according to the invention, an environmental sensor system and a processing unit, can also be carried out by only one unit or can be arranged in a higher-level control unit or the like.

[0012] For a simple, cost-effective, and yet precise determination of a driver's viewing angle, the vehicle's environmental sensor system can advantageously include LIDAR sensors and / or radar sensors. Precise determination of a viewing angle can be particularly important for autonomous vehicles. In addition to the aforementioned advantages, LIDAR and radar sensors also offer high weather resistance and are less susceptible to adverse weather conditions such as fog, rain, or glare from sunlight.

[0013] For a particularly effective application of this procedure, it may also be advantageous if the side junction has a right-of-way rule. Intersections without priority signs or traffic lights, such as side junctions with right-of-way rules, pose particularly dangerous situations for both drivers and technical systems.

[0014] Within the scope of a sensible use or application of the method according to the invention, it is further conceivable that the at least one safety-relevant variable is an estimated hazard potential for a collision of the motor vehicle with another motor vehicle, wherein the hazard potential is preferably smaller the larger the viewing angle. In particular, the hazard potential is inversely proportional to the angle.

[0015] As part of a further improvement in traffic safety at a side junction, it can advantageously be further provided that the at least one safety-relevant variable is a safe speed of the motor vehicle, wherein, preferably, to estimate a safe speed of the motor vehicle, a permitted maximum speed of another motor vehicle within the junction is additionally determined. Within the scope of the invention, a safe speed can be understood in particular as a speed of a motor vehicle approaching a junction that, given a driver's viewing angle, allows safe braking in front of another motor vehicle exiting the junction.

[0016] With a view to the most precise estimation possible of a safe speed of the motor vehicle, it can advantageously be provided according to the invention that the estimation of a safe speed of the motor vehicle comprises a calculation based on the laws of motion of a uniformly accelerated movement, wherein, to estimate the safe speed of the motor vehicle, a current distance of another motor vehicle from the lateral junction and / or a dangerous distance for a collision between the motor vehicle and the other motor vehicle and / or a braking distance of the motor vehicle are preferably taken into account. Thus, to determine the dangerous distance for a collision between the motor vehicle and the other motor vehicle and to determine the distance of another motor vehicle from the junction, the law of motion for a uniformly accelerated movement can preferably be used, according to which: s=v2 / 2a, where preferably s represents the distance or the distance of a motor vehicle from the junction or a collision distance between two vehicles, v defines the speed and a the acceleration of a motor vehicle.

[0017] If the hazard distance and the current distance of the other vehicle from the junction are determined on this basis, it can advantageously be defined that if the condition S G > S A timely braking is possible and at S G < S A an adjustment of the speed of the motor vehicle must be made.

[0018] With a view to improving traffic safety at a side junction, it can advantageously be further provided that the speed of the motor vehicle is adjusted, preferably reduced, based on the determined safe speed of the motor vehicle. In this way, a collision between two vehicles at a side junction can be prevented as effectively as possible.

[0019] It is also understood that individual, several, or all mandatory and / or optional steps of the method according to the invention can be carried out in the proposed order, but also deviating from the proposed order. Individual, several, or all mandatory and / or optional steps of the method according to the invention can be carried out repeatedly, for example, cyclically. It is further understood that individual, several, or all of the mandatory and optional steps of the method according to the invention can also be carried out automatically or in an automated manner, in particular via a computer.

[0020] The invention furthermore relates to a system for increasing traffic safety at a side junction, preferably for implementing a method described above. The system according to the invention comprises an environmental sensor system for acquiring data to determine a viewing angle of a driver of a motor vehicle into the side junction, as well as a processing unit for determining the viewing angle of the driver of the motor vehicle and for estimating at least one safety-relevant variable based on the determined viewing angle based on the acquired data.

[0021] In order to determine the viewing angle of a driver of the motor vehicle in a simple, cost-effective and at the same time precise manner, it can advantageously be provided that the environmental sensor system of the motor vehicle comprises LIDAR sensors and / or radar sensors.

[0022] With a view to improving traffic safety at a lateral junction, it can advantageously also be provided that a control unit is provided for adjusting a speed of the motor vehicle on the basis of the determined safe speed of the motor vehicle.

[0023] The invention also further relates to a motor vehicle comprising a system as described above. Thus, the motor vehicle according to the invention has the same advantages as those already described in detail with regard to the method and system according to the invention.

[0024] The invention also further relates to a computer program product comprising instructions which cause the system according to the invention to carry out the method steps of a method described above.

[0025] Furthermore, the invention relates to a computer-readable, in particular non-volatile, storage medium on which such a computer program product is stored. Thus, the computer program product according to the invention and the storage medium according to the invention also provide the advantages described above.

[0026] The computer program product may be implemented as computer-readable instruction code in any suitable programming language and / or machine language, such as JAVA, C++, C#, and / or Python. The computer program product may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium, such as a data disk, a removable drive, volatile or non-volatile memory, or a built-in memory / processor. The instruction code may program a computer or other programmable devices, such as a control unit that may be part of the control system, to perform the desired functions. Furthermore, the computer program product may be provided and / or be provided on a network, such as the Internet, from which it can be downloaded by a user as needed.The computer program product can be implemented using software or one or more special electronic circuits, i.e., in hardware or in any hybrid form, i.e., using software components and hardware components. Thus, the computer program product according to the invention has the same advantages as those already described in detail with regard to the method or system according to the invention.

[0027] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which describes exemplary embodiments of the invention in detail with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description may be essential to the invention individually or in any combination.

[0028] They show schematically: Fig. 1 the individual steps of a method according to the invention for increasing traffic safety at a side junction, Fig. 2 a situation when carrying out the method according to the invention according to a first embodiment, Fig. 3 a situation during the execution of the method according to the invention according to a second embodiment.

[0029] Fig. 1 shows the individual steps of a method according to the invention for increasing traffic safety at a side junction 4.

[0030] As per Fig. 1, the method according to the invention comprises the steps of capturing 100 data for determining a viewing angle Θ of a driver of the motor vehicle 80 into the lateral junction 4 by means of the environmental sensor system 20 of the motor vehicle 80, determining 200 the viewing angle Θ of the driver of the motor vehicle 80 on the basis of the captured data by means of a processing unit 22, and estimating 300 at least one safety-relevant variable on the basis of the determined viewing angle Θ by means of the processing unit 22.

[0031] The environmental sensor system 20 of the motor vehicle 80 can preferably comprise LIDAR sensors and / or radar sensors.

[0032] The lateral junction 4 can preferably have a right-before-left regulation.

[0033] Fig. 2 shows a situation during the execution of the method according to the invention according to a first embodiment, according to which the at least one safety-relevant variable is an estimated hazard potential for a collision of the motor vehicle 80 with another motor vehicle 80', wherein the hazard potential is smaller the larger the viewing angle Θ is.

[0034] The method is carried out in the present case by a system 2 according to the invention, which determines a viewing angle Θ into the lateral junction 4 obstructed by the objects O. The environmental sensor system 20, processing unit 22, and control unit 24 are connected to one another via a control line 26.

[0035] According to the first embodiment, it can also be provided, for example, that a speed of the motor vehicle 80 is adjusted, preferably reduced, on the basis of the estimated risk potential for a collision of the motor vehicle 80 with another motor vehicle 80'.

[0036] Fig. 3 shows a situation during the execution of the method according to the invention according to a second embodiment, in which the at least one safety-relevant variable is a safe airspeed V Eigen of the motor vehicle 80, wherein preferably for estimating a safe own speed V Eigen of the motor vehicle (80) additionally a permitted maximum speed V max of another motor vehicle 80' within junction 4.

[0037] Estimating 300 a safe airspeed V Eigenof the motor vehicle 80 can preferably comprise a calculation based on the laws of motion of a uniformly accelerated movement, wherein the safe own speed V Eigen of the motor vehicle 80 preferably a current distance S A of another motor vehicle 80' to the lateral junction 4, a hazard distance S G for a collision between the motor vehicle 80 and the other motor vehicle 80' and a braking distance S B of the motor vehicle 80 must be taken into account.

[0038] Based on the determined safe airspeed V Eigen of the motor vehicle 80, a speed of the motor vehicle 80 can also preferably be adjusted, preferably reduced.

[0039] The above explanation of the embodiments describes the present invention exclusively by way of examples. Of course, individual features of the embodiments can be freely combined with one another, provided they are technically feasible, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

[1] Method for increasing traffic safety at a lateral junction (4) based on an environmental sensor system (20) of a motor vehicle (80), comprising the steps: - detecting (100) data for determining a viewing angle (Θ) of a driver of the motor vehicle (80) into the lateral junction (4) by means of the environmental sensor system (20) of the motor vehicle (80), - determining (200) the viewing angle (Θ) of the driver of the motor vehicle (80) on the basis of the recorded data by means of a processing unit (22), - estimating (300) at least one safety-relevant variable on the basis of the determined viewing angle (Θ) by means of the processing unit (22). [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that the environmental sensor system (20) of the motor vehicle (80) comprises LIDAR sensors and / or radar sensors. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the side junction (4) has a right-before-left regulation. [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the at least one safety-relevant variable is an estimated hazard potential for a collision of the motor vehicle (80) with another motor vehicle (80'), wherein the hazard potential is preferably smaller the larger the viewing angle (Θ). [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one safety-relevant quantity is a safe airspeed (V Eigen ) of the motor vehicle (80), wherein preferably for estimating a safe own speed (V Eigen ) of the motor vehicle (80) additionally a permitted maximum speed (V max ) of another motor vehicle (80') within the junction (4). [6] Method according to claim 5, characterized bythat estimating (300) a safe airspeed (V Eigen ) of the motor vehicle (80) comprises a calculation based on the laws of motion of a uniformly accelerated movement, wherein the safe own speed (V Eigen ) of the motor vehicle (80) preferably a current distance (S A ) of another motor vehicle (80') to the lateral junction (4) and / or a danger distance (S G ) for a collision between the motor vehicle (80) and the other motor vehicle (80') and / or a braking distance (S B ) of the motor vehicle (80) must be taken into account. [7] Method according to one of claims 5 to 6, characterized by that based on the determined safe airspeed (V Eigen ) of the motor vehicle (80) a speed of the motor vehicle (80) is adjusted, preferably reduced. [8] System (2) for increasing traffic safety at a lateral junction, preferably for carrying out a method according to one of the preceding claims, comprising: - an environmental sensor system (20) for detecting (100) data for determining a viewing angle (Θ) of a driver of a motor vehicle (80) into the lateral junction (4), - a processing unit (22) for determining (200) the viewing angle (Θ) of the driver of the motor vehicle (80) and for estimating (300) at least one safety-relevant variable on the basis of the determined viewing angle (Θ) on the basis of the recorded data. [9] System (2) according to claim 8, characterized by that the environmental sensors (20) comprise LIDAR sensors and / or radar sensors. [10] System (2) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by that a control unit (24) for adjusting a speed of the motor vehicle (80) on the basis of the determined safe own speed (VEigen ) of the motor vehicle (80). [11] Motor vehicle comprising a system (2) according to one of claims 8 to 10.

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