Feeder Lane Direction Warning Using Parked Vehicle Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing feeder lane direction warning systems are inadequate in preventing accidents caused by wrong-way driving in angle parking facilities, as they rely on faded or obstructed traffic direction arrows, and drivers may not recognize the correct side of two-way traffic feeder lanes.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that detects when a vehicle enters a feeder lane in a parking facility, uses external sensors to gather data on parked vehicles adjacent to the feeder lane, and determines the traffic direction of the feeder lane based on this data. If the determined direction differs from the vehicle's traveling direction, an alert is output to the driver via an output device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traffic direction arrows are used to indicate correct feeder lane direction, then drivers can be guided to travel in the correct direction, but the arrows become faded or obstructed over time making them unrecognizable
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a digital copy of the physical traffic direction information by using sensors (cameras, LIDAR, radar) to detect the orientation of parked vehicles and infer the intended traffic direction. This digital copy replaces the faded physical arrows, allowing the system to determine correct feeder lane direction without relying on deteriorating visual markings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/visual system of painted arrows with an electronic sensing system. Instead of relying on drivers to read faded paint markings, the system uses sensors to detect vehicle orientations and electronically determines traffic direction, substituting a durable electronic information source for the deteriorating mechanical markings.
2Ease of operation
If drivers rely on visual recognition of traffic direction markings, then they can navigate feeder lanes, but drivers may not recognize the correct side of two-way traffic feeder lanes leading to accidents
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time feedback to the driver by detecting the vehicle's current position and orientation using sensors, determining the correct feeder lane direction based on parked vehicle orientations, and comparing this with the vehicle's actual travel direction. When a mismatch is detected, the system generates a warning alert to correct potential wrong-way driving before an accident occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary determination of the correct feeder lane direction before the driver completes the maneuver. By analyzing the orientations of parked vehicles ahead, the system pre-calculates the intended traffic direction and prepares warning alerts in advance, allowing the driver to correct directional errors before entering the feeder lane in the wrong direction.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject technology relate to a feeder lane direction warning system. Entering of an own vehicle into a feeder lane in a parking facility is detected. First data of a first parked vehicle parked in a first row of parking spaces adjacent the feeder lane is received from an external sensor mounted on the own vehicle. A traffic direction of the feeder lane is determined based at least on the received first data of the first parked vehicle. An alert is output via an output device of the own vehicle based on determining that the determined traffic direction of the feeder lane is different from a traveling direction of the own vehicle.