Merging Support Control With Driver Notification Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional merging vehicle support systems cause driver anxiety by performing vehicle control, such as speed adjustments, at unintended times when a merging vehicle merges into a host vehicle's lane.
Innovation Solution
A merging support system that includes an onboard unit equipped with a data communication module, GPS, adaptive cruise control, sensors, and a center server, which detects the merging vehicle's speed and position, and notifies the driver of control actions through a display and audio alerts, allowing for controlled vehicle adjustments without causing driver anxiety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If automatic speed adjustment control is performed when a merging vehicle merges into the host vehicle's lane, then merging safety is improved, but driver anxiety increases due to unintended timing of control actions
Solution Approach 1:
The notification device performs preliminary action by notifying the driver of upcoming speed adjustment control before the actual control is executed. This allows the driver to mentally prepare for the intended control action, reducing anxiety caused by unexpected automatic interventions while maintaining the safety benefits of the control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The notification device provides feedback to the driver about the timing and nature of upcoming control actions. By informing the driver in advance about speed adjustments that will be performed, the system creates a feedback loop that reduces the psychological impact of automatic control while maintaining operational safety.
2Loss of time
If speed adjustment control is automatically executed without driver notification, then response time to merging vehicles is improved, but driver awareness and acceptance of control actions deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The notification device executes preliminary action by alerting the driver before speed adjustment control is implemented. This maintains the rapid response capability of automatic control while simultaneously preserving driver awareness through advance notification of the control timing and nature.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to the driver about upcoming control actions, ensuring that driver awareness is maintained without delaying the actual control response. The notification allows the driver to understand what control action is about to occur while the system maintains its ability to respond quickly to merging vehicles.
Data Source
AI summary
A merging support device includes a memory and a hardware processor coupled to the memory. The hardware processor is configured to: execute control of the first vehicle corresponding to behavior when a second vehicle merges into a first lane, based on a vehicle speed and a vehicle position of a second vehicle traveling in a second lane that merges into a first lane in which a first vehicle is traveling; and notify a driver of the first vehicle about information on a control content of the first vehicle by the hardware processor.