Vehicle Longitudinal Control for Traffic Light Sensor Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle control systems struggle to maintain a clear view of traffic light systems when obscured by vehicles in front, leading to unexpected braking maneuvers and potential occupant discomfort or injury due to sudden stops.
Innovation Solution
The method determines a minimum distance from the vehicle in front to ensure the environment sensor system has an unobstructed view of traffic lights, adjusting the vehicle's longitudinal movement to avoid sudden braking by predicting potential traffic light states and maintaining a safe following distance based on sensor shadow analysis and map data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the vehicle drives closer to the vehicle in front to reduce stopping distance, then the stopping distance is reduced, but the environment sensor system's view of the traffic light system may be obscured by the vehicle in front
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the sensor shadow area cast by the vehicle in front before reaching it. Based on this preliminary information, the autonomous vehicle calculates and adjusts its longitudinal movement in advance to maintain an optimal distance that ensures the traffic light system remains visible in the environment sensor system's field of view, even when approaching the vehicle in front.
2Loss of information
If the vehicle maintains a larger distance to the vehicle in front to ensure clear view of traffic lights, then the view of the traffic light system is clear, but the stopping distance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the longitudinal distance to the vehicle in front based on real-time conditions. The optimal distance is not fixed but varies according to factors such as the size and position of the sensor shadow, the detected position of the traffic light system, and the vehicle's current speed. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to minimize stopping distance while ensuring the traffic light system remains visible.
3Productivity
If the vehicle approaches the junction quickly to improve throughput, then the productivity is improved, but the risk of abrupt braking increases when traffic lights are suddenly detected
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the sensor shadow area and calculates the likely position of the traffic light system before the vehicle reaches the shadow area. This allows the system to anticipate the presence of traffic lights and adjust its speed in advance, enabling smooth deceleration rather than abrupt braking when the traffic lights are detected, thereby maintaining both productivity and braking stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A longitudinal movement of a vehicle is automatically regulated by detecting, using recorded signals of an environment sensor system an environment of the vehicle and objects located. A state of a traffic light system to be accounted for by the vehicle at a traffic light signal controlled junction in order for the vehicle to pass through the junction is determined. When the vehicle approaches the junction, it is recognized that a view of the environment sensor system of the traffic light system may be obscured by a vehicle in front, then a minimum distance of the vehicle to the vehicle in front is determined depending on a current position of the vehicle in relation to the traffic light system and in relation to the vehicle in front, which minimum distance is used as the basis of the automatic regulation of the longitudinal movement and is not undershot by the vehicle.