Lane Reduction Determination Using Division Line Bending Angles
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Solution Overview
Problem
In roads where two lanes merge via a non-lane zone, existing systems struggle to determine which lane will be reduced in advance, making it difficult for vehicles to anticipate lane changes and avoid uncomfortable maneuvers for occupants.
Innovation Solution
A lane reduction determination device that uses map information to calculate bending angles of division lines at a junction and determines the merging lane based on these angles, or utilizes road surface arrow markings to indicate the direction of lane changes, allowing for pre-emptive identification of the lane to be reduced.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a camera is used to determine the lane to be reduced, then the vehicle can identify the merging lane at the junction, but the vehicle cannot determine the lane to be reduced in advance and must approach within camera range
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary determination of the merging lane using map information before the vehicle reaches the junction. By calculating bending angles of division lines and analyzing arrow markings in advance, the system identifies which lane will be reduced, allowing the vehicle to prepare for the lane change earlier rather than waiting until camera range of the junction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces map information as an intermediary data source between the vehicle and the physical junction. By using pre-stored map data containing division line geometries and arrow marking positions, the system can determine the merging lane without relying solely on real-time camera images, effectively extending the determination distance upstream.
2Reliability
If the vehicle approaches the junction within camera range to determine the lane, then the camera can capture the junction image, but the lane change cannot be anticipated early enough to avoid occupant discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary determination of the merging lane using map information before the vehicle reaches the junction. By calculating bending angles of division lines and analyzing arrow markings in advance, the system identifies which lane will be reduced, allowing the vehicle to prepare for the lane change earlier rather than waiting until camera range of the junction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the lane determination process into two independent parts: (1) using map information for early preliminary determination of the merging lane, and (2) using camera images for verification when approaching the junction. This segmentation allows the system to provide early warning while maintaining high reliability through multi-source validation.
3Loss of time
If map information is used to calculate bending angles for determining the merging lane, then the lane can be identified in advance, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential geometric features (bending angles of division lines) from the complex map information. By focusing calculation on specific angular measurements rather than processing entire map datasets, the system achieves early lane determination with minimal computational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms complex spatial map data into a simplified parameter (bending angle) that directly indicates the merging lane. By changing the representation from full geometric maps to angular measurements, the system reduces computational complexity while maintaining determination accuracy.
4Measurement precision
If arrow markings are extracted from map information to determine the merging lane, then the lane can be identified with high accuracy, but the information processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential geometric features (bending angles of division lines) from the complex map information. By focusing calculation on specific angular measurements rather than processing entire map datasets, the system achieves early lane determination with minimal computational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different processing strategies to different parts of the map information: using bending angle calculations for division lines and arrow marking analysis only where relevant to merging lane identification. This localized processing reduces overall information extraction complexity while maintaining high identification accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A lane determination device includes a processor configured to: store map information including information on division lines defining two lanes on a road; calculate a first angle and a second angle based on the map information, the first angle being a bending angle of a first division line at a junction where the two lanes merge together, the second angle being a bending angle of a second division line at the junction, the first division line being one of two outermost division lines in the division lines defining the two lanes, the second division line being the other one of the two outermost division lines; and determine, as a merging lane, a lane defined by the second division line out of the two lanes when the first angle is larger than the second angle.