Obstruction Detection System for Roadway Edge Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Obstructions near roadways can limit visibility for drivers and automated vehicles, increasing the risk of collisions by forcing them to unsafely enter intersections until oncoming traffic is detected, due to factors like construction sites, vegetation, and snow pile-ups.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a camera and computing device that captures image data to detect the edge of a roadway, identify objects proximate to it, calculate their distance from the edge, determine if they are obstructions based on a threshold, and transmit their location to an external device for potential removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If drivers wait to detect oncoming traffic before entering intersections, then collision risk is reduced, but loss of time increases due to unnecessary waiting
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of obstructions blocking intersection visibility before the vehicle reaches the intersection. By identifying obstructions in advance and notifying authorities, the system enables proactive clearance actions, allowing drivers to proceed without unnecessary waiting once the obstruction is removed, thus reducing both collision risk and waiting time
2Loss of time
If drivers proceed without detecting oncoming traffic due to obstructions, then loss of time is reduced, but collision risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of obstructions before the vehicle reaches the intersection and notifies authorities for clearance. This advance notification allows the obstruction to be removed before the driver needs to proceed, enabling safe passage without waiting, thus reducing time loss while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to authorities about detected obstructions, enabling them to take corrective actions. This feedback loop ensures that obstruction information is communicated to the appropriate parties who can remove the obstruction, creating a system-wide response that benefits both safety and efficiency
3Device complexity
If manual detection of obstructions is performed by drivers, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary automated detection device (camera system with image processing) that acts as a mediator between the driver and the obstruction detection task. This intermediary performs precise automated detection and analysis of obstructions, providing accurate information to the driver without requiring the driver to directly perform the complex detection task, thus improving measurement precision while keeping the driver's role simple
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for modifying an operation of a vehicle in response to detection of an obstruction. The system includes a camera coupled to a vehicle and configured to capture image data from a vehicle, and a computing device that includes a processor configured to: detect an edge of a roadway on which the vehicle is traveling; detect objects located proximate an edge of the roadway, based on the captured image data; calculate a distance between each detected object and the edge of the roadway, wherein a location of each detected object is determined based on the captured image data; and determine that one object of the detected objects is an obstruction, based on at least the calculated distance between the one object and the edge of the roadway being below a threshold.