Autonomous Intersection Warning Based on Safe Stop Distance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unsignalized intersections pose safety challenges for autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles due to the lack of traffic signals, leading to a higher proportion of accidents, as vehicles approaching these intersections may not be able to safely stop before entering, especially under varying weather conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize vehicle sensor information and safe stop data to determine the safe stopping distance for vehicles approaching unsignalized intersections, generating warning messages for other vehicles if the stopping distance is insufficient, and activating traffic control devices to inform other vehicles of potential hazards, allowing them to take necessary actions such as stopping or slowing down.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If autonomous vehicles traverse unsignalized intersections without traffic signals, then vehicle autonomy and freedom of movement are improved, but safety and accident risk worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary warning system that mediates between autonomous vehicles at unsignalized intersections. The system includes a first vehicle's computing device that determines safe stop distance and generates warning messages, and a second vehicle's computing device that receives and responds to these warnings. This intermediary communication mechanism enables autonomous operation while improving safety through vehicle-to-vehicle information exchange.
2Productivity
If vehicles approach unsignalized intersections at high speed, then productivity and traffic flow are improved, but the ability to stop safely before entering the intersection worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the first vehicle's computing device determine the safe stop distance in advance before the vehicle reaches the intersection. The system calculates whether the vehicle can safely stop given its current speed and distance to the intersection, and generates a warning message to the second vehicle beforehand. This allows the second vehicle to take preventive action (slow down or stop) before entering the intersection, maintaining traffic flow while ensuring safety.
3Adaptability or versatility
If weather conditions are adverse, then environmental adaptability is tested, but the safe stop distance required by vehicles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the safe stop distance calculation adaptive to varying weather conditions. The first vehicle's computing device determines the safe stop distance based on current environmental factors such as road surface conditions, visibility, and precipitation. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain appropriate safety margins while adapting to different weather scenarios, enabling autonomous operation across diverse environmental conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments described herein may provide a method for management of vehicles at intersections. Methods may include: receiving probe data from probe apparatuses proximate an intersection between two or more road segments; identifying a first vehicle approaching the intersection from the probe data; determining, for the first vehicle approaching the intersection, a safe stop distance, where the safe stop distance includes a distance to stop the first vehicle from a current speed of the first vehicle; generating a warning message in response to the safe stop distance of the first vehicle being greater than a distance of the first vehicle from the intersection; and providing the warning message to one or more other vehicles approaching, at, or within the intersection, where the warning message provides an indication that the first vehicle cannot safely stop before entering the intersection.