Vehicle Control Device Velocity Management at Intersections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated driving systems do not effectively control vehicle velocity when transitioning from automated to manual driving, particularly at intersections, turns, and in situations where automated driving is challenging, leading to potential traffic stagnation.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control apparatus that includes a condition determination unit and a deceleration selection unit to assess and manage vehicle velocity by recognizing planned routes, current positions, and environmental conditions, such as turns, traffic signals, and instrument faults, to determine when to decelerate or maintain speed, ensuring smooth transitions and preventing traffic stagnation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the automated driving system demands manual driving at intersections or turns, then the driver takes over control, but the vehicle decelerates causing traffic flow stagnation
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the velocity parameter dynamically based on the type of node encountered. At course change nodes (intersections, turns), the vehicle maintains current velocity rather than decelerating, while at other nodes it applies normal deceleration. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction by adjusting speed control to match the specific driving context.
Solution Approach 2:
The deceleration control is made dynamic and adaptive rather than static. The system continuously monitors the vehicle's position relative to map data, identifies the type of node ahead, and adjusts the deceleration command in real-time. This dynamic approach allows the vehicle to maintain flow efficiency at intersections while ensuring safety at other critical points.
2Ease of operation
If the vehicle decelerates at all nodes requiring manual driving, then the driver has adequate time to take over, but unnecessary deceleration occurs at nodes where the vehicle can continue straight
Solution Approach 1:
Different quality of control (deceleration magnitude) is applied to different types of nodes. Course change nodes receive one level of attention while straight-path nodes receive another. This localized differentiation ensures driver awareness is maintained without causing unnecessary disruptions to traffic flow at intersections where continuation is safe.
Solution Approach 2:
The road network is segmented into different types of nodes (course change nodes vs. straight-path nodes) based on map data. Each segment type receives appropriate control treatment. This segmentation allows the system to distinguish between situations requiring full driver attention and those where automated driving can safely continue.
3Productivity
If the vehicle maintains current velocity at course change nodes, then traffic flow is maintained, but the driver may not have adequate time to take over manually
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary identification of node types using map data before the vehicle reaches critical points. By knowing ahead of time whether an intersection or turn is upcoming, the system can prepare appropriate control commands and notifications, balancing flow maintenance with driver preparation time.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle control device causes a vehicle to autonomously travel, and, if at least one of one or more predetermined conditions is met, then requests the driver to perform manual driving. The vehicle control device is provided with a condition determination unit and a deceleration selection unit. The condition determination unit determines whether or not said one or more predetermined conditions are met. The deceleration selection unit then selects whether or not to decelerate the vehicle when requesting the driver to perform said manual driving, on the basis of met predetermined conditions (if any).