Host Vehicle Overtaking Risk Assessment on Pedestrian Crossings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems fail to effectively assess the risk of overtaking a target vehicle on a pedestrian crossing, especially when the crossing is partially occluded, leading to potential collisions due to driver distraction, tiredness, or bad weather, and lack regulation in some countries, posing a significant threat to pedestrian safety.

Innovation Solution

A risk evaluation system for a host vehicle that detects the target vehicle and pedestrian crossing using object detectors, including cameras, radar, and lidar, estimates the stop distances of both vehicles, and evaluates the risk of collision by comparing host vehicle stop distances with predetermined thresholds, adjusting for occlusions and driving behaviors to alert or control the vehicle to avoid pedestrians.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the host vehicle uses object detectors to assess risk on occluded pedestrian crossings, then pedestrian safety is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepedestrian safetyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The risk assessment system divides the occluded pedestrian crossing into multiple zones (first portion visible, second portion occluded) and assesses risk for each zone separately. The controller evaluates different scenarios based on target vehicle behavior in each zone, allowing comprehensive safety assessment without requiring a single complex all-encompassing detection system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary risk assessment by detecting the target vehicle's deceleration motion and estimating stop distance before the actual overtaking maneuver begins. This advance evaluation allows the host vehicle to determine potential risk zones and adjust driving behavior proactively, improving safety without requiring complex real-time reaction systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the host vehicle estimates stop distance considering linear deceleration, then collision risk is reduced, but calculation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision risk reductionVSAvoidcalculation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the deceleration parameter from variable to constant by assuming linear deceleration with a predetermined constant value. This simplification allows the controller to calculate stop distance using basic kinematic equations rather than complex real-time deceleration profiling, reducing computational complexity while maintaining sufficient accuracy for safety assessment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If the host vehicle monitors target vehicle deceleration to assess risk, then detection accuracy is improved, but the time required for assessment increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidassessment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by detecting target vehicle deceleration and estimating stop distance before the host vehicle completes its overtaking maneuver. This advance assessment allows the system to identify potential collision risks and adjust host vehicle behavior proactively, achieving both high detection accuracy and timely response by performing calculations during the target vehicle's deceleration phase rather than waiting for the overtaking to complete.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system effectively assesses and mitigates the risk of collisions by determining the likelihood of pedestrian presence and controlling the host vehicle to avoid potential hazards, enhancing pedestrian safety by preventing accidents during overtaking maneuvers on occluded pedestrian crossings.

Implementation Method 1

a host vehicle to assess risk of overtaking a target vehicle on a pedestrian crossing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

The step of detecting the speed of the target vehicle comprises a step of detecting a deceleration motion of the target vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadio wave reflection: Radar

Implementation Method 3

A risk evaluation system for a host vehicle that detects the target vehicle and pedestrian crossing using object detectors, including cameras, radar, and lidar

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser light reflection: LIDAR

Data Source

PatentEP3576069B1Method for a host vehicle to assess risk of overtaking a target vehicle on a pedestrian crossing
Publication Date: 2022.08.03 APTIV TECHNOLOGIES LTD
  • EP3576069B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3576069B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3576069B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A risk evaluation system for a host vehicle (10) for assessing the risk of overtaking a target vehicle (12) on a pedestrian crossing (14) comprises, an object detector means (30) configured to detect a pedestrian crossing (14) and to detect a target vehicle (12) in the front field of view of the host vehicle (10); a controller (48) in communication with the object detector means (30), wherein the controller is configured to determine the pedestrian crossing location (50) and to determine the target vehicle driving behavior (54); the controller (48) is further configured to detect a deceleration of the target vehicle (12); to evaluate a target vehicle stop distance (SD_t) between the target vehicle (12) and the pedestrian crossing (14) based on the target vehicle speed if the target vehicle (12) has been detected in a deceleration mode; to compare the evaluated target vehicle stop distance (SD_t) with a predetermined target stop distance threshold (TSD_th); and to estimate a risk for the host vehicle (10) of overtaking the target vehicle (12) on the pedestrian crossing (14) based on the comparison step result of the target vehicle stop distance (SD_t).