Autonomous Vehicle Pull-Over Strategy for Unavailable Pickup Parking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face challenges in safely and efficiently stopping at pickup locations, particularly when suitable parking spots are unavailable, which can lead to unsafe or inconvenient maneuvers for both the vehicle and other drivers.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle's computing devices implement a method to attempt finding a parking spot within a certain distance of the pickup location, with subsequent actions including driving around the block, stopping at the location for a brief period, or stopping in a traffic lane after detecting and authenticating the passenger's device, to ensure safe and efficient passenger pickup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vehicle attempts to find a parking spot outside of traffic lanes, then safety is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to longer waiting time when spots are unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the stopping strategy based on real-time conditions. When parking spots are available, the vehicle parks outside traffic lanes for safety. When spots are unavailable or time is critical, the vehicle transitions to stopping in traffic lanes or driving around the block, adapting the approach to balance safety and efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes key parameters such as stopping location, waiting time, and maneuvering behavior based on detected conditions including passenger presence, traffic conditions, and availability of parking spots. This allows flexible adjustment between safety-oriented and efficiency-oriented operations
2Reliability
If the vehicle drives around the block to find a parking spot, then safety is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs driving around the block only partially or conditionally - not always, but only when necessary based on detected conditions. The vehicle evaluates whether the time cost of driving around the block is acceptable given current traffic conditions, passenger urgency, and alternative options available
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from detecting the passenger's client computing device and monitoring traffic conditions to decide whether to drive around the block. The decision is based on real-time information about passenger presence, traffic patterns, and time constraints
3Productivity
If the vehicle stops in a traffic lane to wait for passenger, then productivity is improved, but object-affected harmful factors increase due to potential traffic disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The system takes preliminary actions to mitigate potential harmful effects before stopping in the traffic lane. It detects the passenger's presence and confirms authorization beforehand, and monitors traffic conditions to minimize disruption. The vehicle may also use signaling to alert other drivers of its intended stopping action
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a vehicle having one or more computing devices that may receive instructions to pick up a passenger at a pickup location and determine when the vehicle is within a first distance of the pickup location. When the vehicle is within the first distance, the computing devices may make a first attempt to find a spot to park the vehicle and wait for the passenger. When the vehicle is unable to find a spot to park the vehicle on the first attempt, the computing devices may maneuvering the vehicle in order to make a second attempt to find a spot to park the vehicle and wait for the passenger. When the vehicle is unable to find a spot to park the vehicle on the second attempt, the computing devices may stop the vehicle in a current lane to wait for the passenger.