Vehicle Guidance Mode Switching at Complex Signalized Intersections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle driving functions, particularly in urban environments, struggle to reliably and robustly incorporate signaling units like traffic lights and signs into automated longitudinal control, affecting safety, availability, and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle guidance system that integrates environmental sensors and map data to identify signaling units, allowing for automated speed and distance control, with user-configurable modes to account for signaling units, and provides alerts and takeover requests for enhanced safety and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the driving function operates in automatic mode at all signaling units, then the productivity and automation level are improved, but the reliability decreases for complex intersections where automatic operation may be unsafe
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operating mode (automatic or manual) based on the complexity measure of the intersection. The control unit switches between automatic mode for simple intersections and manual mode for complex intersections, making the system adaptable to different operational conditions rather than being fixed in one mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter (mode of operation) based on the determined complexity measure. When the complexity exceeds a threshold, the system transitions from automatic mode to manual mode, effectively using parameter change to resolve the contradiction between automation and safety.
2Reliability
If the driving function operates in manual mode at all signaling units, then the reliability is improved through user confirmation, but the productivity decreases due to required user intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different operational qualities to different locations (signaling units) based on their complexity. Simple intersections operate in automatic mode without user intervention, while complex intersections require manual mode with user confirmation. This local differentiation optimizes both safety and efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring full manual operation at all intersections, the system applies manual confirmation only partially - specifically at complex intersections where it is necessary. This partial action approach maintains safety where needed while preserving efficiency elsewhere.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system determines complexity measure for all signaling units, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional data processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary determination of the complexity measure for the upcoming signaling unit in advance. This allows the control unit to pre-select the appropriate operating mode before reaching the intersection, simplifying real-time decision-making and reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that processes the complexity measure data and translates it into mode selection decisions. This intermediary layer simplifies the interface between the data acquisition system and the driving function, managing complexity through structured data processing.
Data Source
Figure 1~2b
Figure 3~5a
Figure 5b~5c
AI summary
A vehicle guidance system for providing a driving function for the automated longitudinal guidance of a vehicle is described. The vehicle guidance system is configured to acquire data relating to a first signaling unit located ahead in the vehicle's direction of travel and, based on this data, to determine a complexity measure for the complexity of an intersection located at the first signaling unit on a roadway traveled by the vehicle with one or more other traffic routes.Furthermore, the vehicle guidance system is set up to operate the driving function at the first signaling unit in an automatic mode or in a manual mode depending on the determined complexity measure, whereby the first signaling unit is taken into account automatically in the automatic mode and only after confirmation by a user of the vehicle in the automated longitudinal guidance of the vehicle in the manual mode.