Vehicle Control System for Tailgating Situations
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Drivers face challenges in navigating through traffic scenarios due to limited visibility and knowledge of surrounding vehicles and hazards, as existing vehicle sensory systems have limited detection ranges and do not provide comprehensive information about obstructions ahead or behind the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system for controlling a vehicle's motion using a vehicle communication network, which detects and communicates with surrounding vehicles to maintain a safe headway distance and adjust acceleration control rates based on relative rear headway distances, utilizing sensors and processor-driven algorithms to manage braking operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If vehicle sensory systems (radar, camera) are used to detect hazards, then detection capability is improved, but detection range is limited to immediate surrounding only
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces communication systems as intermediaries between vehicles and infrastructure elements. Vehicles communicate with each other (V2V) and with roadside infrastructure (V2I) to exchange hazard information beyond direct sensor range. This mediator approach allows a vehicle to detect hazards that are outside its immediate sensory detection capability by receiving information from other vehicles or infrastructure sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends detection from the spatial dimension (physical sensor range) to the communication dimension (information network). By utilizing vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication networks, the system accesses hazard information from multiple spatial locations simultaneously, effectively expanding detection range without physical sensor extensions.
2Loss of information
If driver's vision is used to observe surrounding vehicles, then awareness of immediate environment is improved, but vision is obstructed by large vehicles, traffic congestion, and road geometry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback loops where vehicles continuously exchange information about their position, speed, and detected hazards. This creates a distributed awareness system where each vehicle receives feedback about the broader traffic environment from multiple sources, compensating for individual vision limitations caused by obstructions.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides hazard warnings, shares positional information, communicates speed data, and enables cooperative maneuver planning. This multi-functionality allows a single communication infrastructure to address various vision obstruction scenarios through different information types.
3Reliability
If braking operation is controlled to maintain preceding headway distance, then collision avoidance with front vehicle is improved, but rear collision risk increases due to tailgating vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables preliminary action by allowing vehicles to communicate intended maneuvers and receive advance warnings about potential conflicts. Before executing braking or other maneuvers, the system can notify surrounding vehicles through communication channels, giving them time to prepare counter-actions and avoid rear-end collisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements preliminary anti-action by detecting potential rear collision risks through communication with tailgating vehicles and taking preventive measures. When a vehicle intends to brake, the system can warn following vehicles in advance, allowing them to prepare braking actions to avoid collision, thus counteracting the harmful effect before it occurs.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for controlling a host vehicle relative to a first vehicle positioned immediately ahead of the host vehicle, including, detecting a second vehicle driving behind the host vehicle and in the same lane as the host vehicle. The method including detecting a braking operation initiated by the vehicle system of the host vehicle. The braking operation causes the host vehicle to decelerate based on an acceleration control rate in order to maintain a preceding headway reference distance with the first vehicle. The method includes, determining a relative rear headway distance between the host vehicle and the second vehicle with respect to a rear headway reference distance and modifying the acceleration control rate based on the relative rear headway distance and the rear headway reference distance. Further, the method includes controlling the vehicle system according to the modified acceleration control rate.