Curve Alert Timing Control for Continuous Road Curves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing driving assistance systems alert drivers only about the first curve in a series of continuous curves, making it difficult for drivers to anticipate and prepare for subsequent curves, which can lead to safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A driving assistance control apparatus that includes a curve information acquiring unit, a continuous curves detecting unit, and a curve alert control unit, which sets the alert timing for subsequent curves based on the characteristics of the preceding curve, allowing for earlier alerts when the preceding curve is sharper or has a smaller radius, thereby improving driver awareness and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the minimum allowable speed among multiple continuous curves is set as the target speed and alerted only before the first curve, then the alerting system is simple, but the driver cannot adequately prepare for subsequent curves
Solution Approach 1:
The alerting system is segmented to provide separate alerts for each curve in a continuous sequence. Instead of a single alert before the first curve, the system generates individual alerts before each curve (first curve alert before the first curve, second curve alert before the second curve), allowing the driver to prepare for each curve's specific characteristics independently
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by alerting the driver in advance of each curve with sufficient lead time. The second curve alert is generated at a timing that allows the driver to prepare for the second curve before entering it, rather than waiting until the first curve is completed
2Ease of operation
If a single alert is given before the first curve, then the alerting frequency is low, but the driver cannot estimate timing for operations on each curve
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides feedback to the driver about upcoming curves through timed alerts. Each alert gives the driver information about an upcoming curve at an appropriate time, enabling the driver to estimate when to perform operations for each curve based on the alert timing and their knowledge of the vehicle's response characteristics
3Reliability
If the alert timing for the second curve is not adjusted based on the first curve characteristics, then the alerting logic is simple, but the driver safety is compromised for sharp curves
Solution Approach 1:
The alert timing parameter is changed based on the characteristics of the first curve. When the first curve is sharp (small radius or high curvature), the system advances the alert timing for the second curve to occur earlier. This parameter adjustment ensures that drivers receive sufficient notice for challenging curve sequences while maintaining manageable system logic
Data Source
AI summary
A driving assistance control apparatus includes an own-vehicle position acquiring unit that acquires the position of an own vehicle; a curve information acquiring unit that acquires curve information on a driving course; a continuous curves detecting unit that detects a first curve ahead of the own vehicle and a second curve that exists at a far side of the own vehicle with respect to the first curve and that is continuous to the first curve, based on the acquired position of the own vehicle and the acquired curve information; and a curve alert control unit that controls a curve alerting unit that alerts the presence of the second curve before an entrance of the second curve. The curve alert control unit sets the alert timing of the second curve in accordance with the curve information about the first curve.