Lane Keeping Assist Suppression for Narrow Road Obstacles
Solution Overview
Problem
Current lane keeping assist systems (LKA) interfere with driver steering in critical traffic situations, particularly on narrow roads, due to inaccurate lane width determination caused by poor weather conditions and inadequate road markings, leading to unreliable steering assistance.
Innovation Solution
A method and control unit that suppress or deactivate the LKA system by comparing detected lane widths with pre-set critical and comfortable widths, using electronic horizon data from GPS, and considering obstacle size and relative speed, allowing drivers to steer closer to lane edges or outside lanes without counteractive system commands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the LKA system actively steers the vehicle to keep it within the lane, then lane keeping performance is improved, but driver steering freedom deteriorates in critical situations
Solution Approach 1:
The LKA system dynamically adjusts its control characteristics based on detected lane width. When the lane width exceeds a threshold, the system applies strong steering corrections to maintain lane position. When the lane width falls below the threshold, the system reduces or eliminates steering corrections, allowing the driver full steering freedom to navigate critical situations such as avoiding oncoming vehicles or pedestrians on narrow roads.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the control parameter (steering correction magnitude) based on the detected lane width parameter. By monitoring lane width and comparing it to a threshold value, the system transitions between different control modes: active lane keeping correction when lane width is sufficient, and suppressed or deactivated control when lane width is narrow, thus adapting to varying road conditions.
2Measurement precision
If the LKA system provides strong steering corrections to maintain lane position, then lane keeping accuracy is improved, but driver control deteriorates when lane width determination is unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors lane width detection results and uses this feedback to adjust its control behavior. When lane width is detected to be below the threshold, indicating unreliable detection conditions, the system feedback-loops to suppress or deactivate steering corrections, preventing erroneous aggressive steering actions that would compromise reliability.
3Reliability
If the LKA system maintains active control to prevent lane departure, then safety is improved, but interference with driver intent deteriorates on narrow roads
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between active control mode and suppressed control mode based on lane width conditions. On narrow roads where lane width is below the threshold, the system transitions to suppressed control, reducing interference with driver steering actions while maintaining collision prevention capabilities through continued monitoring and selective intervention.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A method for suppressing or deactivating a lane keeping assist (LKA) system in a host vehicle, the method comprising: a) retrieving environmental data from a data gathering system; b) determining a current lane width (w_cur), based on the environmental data retrieved from the data gathering system; c) comparing the current lane width (w_cur) with a pre-set lane width (w_set1); d) determining that the current lane width (w_cur) is smaller than the pre-set lane width (w_set1); e) detecting the presence of an obstacle on the travelling path which obstacle will be passed by the host vehicle or which obstacle will pass the host vehicle within a predetermined time period (t_p); and f) deactivating or suppressing the lane keeping assist (LKA) system.