Left-Turn Waiting Positioning for Safer Intersection Maneuvers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Navigating left turns at intersections is challenging due to the need to assess available space for other vehicles and potential risks, as drivers often underestimate the space required, leading to accidents.

Innovation Solution

A system that determines a left turn decision by analyzing contextual features and sensor data to identify a safe location for the vehicle to wait, using machine learning models and providing risk factor alerts through user interfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the driver positions the vehicle closer to the center of the intersection to allow passing vehicles more space, then the safety for passing vehicles is improved, but the available space for the turning vehicle decreases and the risk of collision increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety for passing vehiclesVSAvoidcollision risk for turning vehicle

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of intersection geometry, vehicle dimensions, and traffic patterns before the left turn maneuver. It calculates the optimal positioning point in advance by simulating different vehicle positions and evaluating collision risks, then provides guidance to the driver on where to position the vehicle before entering the intersection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the recommended positioning parameters based on vehicle size, intersection dimensions, and incoming traffic conditions. It changes the optimal position coordinates, waiting area boundaries, and safety margins according to the specific context, allowing the system to adapt to different vehicle types and intersection configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the driver waits further back from the intersection to maintain a safety buffer, then the collision risk is reduced, but the available space for passing vehicles decreases and traffic flow is impeded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollision riskVSAvoidtraffic flow efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-calculates the optimal waiting position that balances safety and traffic flow by analyzing intersection geometry and vehicle dimensions before the turn attempt. It determines the forwardmost safe position where the vehicle can wait without blocking passing traffic, then guides the driver to this precise location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides real-time feedback to the driver about the recommended positioning and the rationale behind it, showing how the position balances safety and traffic flow. It may adjust recommendations based on observed driver behavior and actual traffic conditions, providing continuous guidance to optimize both safety and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If the driver attempts to estimate the available space manually, then the system complexity is minimized, but the measurement precision of available space is insufficient leading to accidents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidavailable space estimation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces a computational intermediary that processes intersection geometry data, vehicle dimension data, and traffic conditions to calculate precise available space measurements. This computational layer translates raw geometric data into actionable safety metrics and positioning recommendations, bridging the gap between simple data collection and complex spatial reasoning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If the system provides detailed guidance on positioning and risk factors, then the safety is improved, but the ease of operation decreases due to additional information processing

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoiddriver operation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides differentiated information based on the specific situation and driver needs. It highlights only the most critical safety factors and positioning requirements for the current context, rather than presenting all possible data. The interface adapts its level of detail based on the complexity of the intersection and traffic conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12606193B2Method for determining an optimal location to wait for a left turn to minimize traffic impact

Publication Date: 2026.04.21 HERE GLOBAL BV

AI summary

A system, a method and a computer program product are provided to determine a left turn decision for a user or autonomous vehicle attempting to turn at an intersection of a road. For example, the system obtains contextual features and/or sensor data related to the intersection of the road. An optimal location on the road is determined for the user or autonomous vehicle to position the vehicle to make the left turn decision, based on the contextual features and/or the sensor data. A left turn risk factor is determined based on the location on the road for the user or autonomous vehicle to position the vehicle to make a left turn. An alert is presented to the user or autonomous vehicle regarding the left turn risk factor with a left turn advisory message.