Emergency Vehicle Geofencing Based on Driving Intent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional emergency vehicle alert systems fail to effectively determine the appropriate size or shape of a geofence based on the intent of the emergency vehicle, leading to inadequate or unnecessary alerts and potential safety risks for both emergency vehicles and other road users.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that dynamically configures the size and shape of a geofence for emergency vehicles based on their working mode, which includes normal and emergency modes, using a processor to generate and transmit the geofence to surrounding vehicles, and adjusts the geofence size or shape according to the degree of emergency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional audio or visual signaling devices are used to alert other vehicles, then emergency vehicle alerts are provided, but the alerts may be inadequate, unnecessary, or easily ignored by drivers
Solution Approach 1:
The geofence dynamically adjusts its size, shape, and direction based on the emergency vehicle's working mode (normal, emergency, high emergency) and operational intent, transforming static alert boundaries into adaptive zones that respond to real-time conditions, thereby improving alert reliability and reducing safety risks
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes key parameters of the geofence including size, shape, and direction according to the emergency vehicle's operational state. In normal mode, the geofence is smaller; in emergency mode, it expands; and in high emergency mode with officers exposed, it expands further to cover additional safety zones, making alerts more appropriate and effective
2Ease of manufacture
If a fixed-size geofence is used for emergency vehicles, then implementation is simple, but the geofence may be too large causing unnecessary alerts or too small providing inadequate protection
Solution Approach 1:
The geofence transitions from a fixed static boundary to a dynamic adaptive zone that automatically adjusts its characteristics based on the emergency vehicle's working mode and intent, resolving the contradiction between implementation simplicity and alert appropriateness through automated context-aware configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The system determines the emergency vehicle's working mode automatically based on sensor data and operational context, then self-configures the appropriate geofence parameters without requiring manual intervention, maintaining ease of implementation while achieving reliable alert appropriateness
3Reliability
If the geofence size is increased to cover more areas, then more vehicles receive alerts, but unnecessary alerts are generated for vehicles not on the emergency vehicle's path
Solution Approach 1:
The geofence is configured with different sizes, shapes, and directions tailored to specific local conditions and emergency vehicle intents. For example, when the intent is to stop on the right side of the road, the geofence is configured to alert vehicles on the right; when the intent is to pass through, the geofence expands to alert vehicles in the path, achieving both safety and precision
Solution Approach 2:
The geofence dynamically adapts its spatial characteristics based on the emergency vehicle's intended action, expanding or contracting to match the actual safety zone required, thereby preventing both under-protection and over-alerting
4Device complexity
If the geofence is configured without considering emergency vehicle intent, then configuration is straightforward, but the geofence may not prevent officer strikes or vehicle collisions when stopped on roadside
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines the emergency vehicle's working mode by analyzing sensor data and operational context, then self-configures the appropriate geofence parameters. This self-service approach maintains configuration simplicity while achieving the reliability needed to prevent officer strikes and vehicle collisions
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensor feedback from the emergency vehicle's operational state to automatically adjust geofence configuration. When sensors detect that the vehicle is stopped with officers exposed, the system feedback-loop adjusts the geofence to expand and cover the appropriate safety zones, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and safety
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method and storage medium for providing an emergency vehicle (EV) alert includes generating a geofence by varying a size or shape of the geofence according to a working mode of an EV and transmitting the generated geofence to another vehicle.