Vehicle Collision Avoidance Using Lateral Distance Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicles rely on human drivers for collision avoidance, which is not feasible in automated vehicles, and existing systems lack effective methods to prevent collisions with distracted or errant vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A collision avoidance system for vehicles that monitors nearby vehicles, identifies risky behavior, and adjusts the ego vehicle's motion by steering laterally and adjusting longitudinal velocity to increase distance and prevent collisions, using sensors and control systems to implement warnings and operational changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If automated vehicles replace human drivers for collision avoidance, then collision avoidance capability is improved, but the ability to respond to unexpected risky behavior by other vehicles deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary monitoring of lateral distances and preliminary identification of risky behaviors (lane drifting, lane changes, distraction) before actual collision risk materializes. This allows the automated vehicle to prepare appropriate responses in advance, improving both reliability and adaptability to unexpected situations
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors lateral distance, detects risky behaviors, and adjusts vehicle operation in real-time based on feedback from sensors. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the automated vehicle to adapt to unexpected risky behavior from other vehicles while maintaining reliable collision avoidance
2Reliability
If the vehicle laterally steers away from the target vehicle to increase distance, then collision risk is reduced, but the vehicle may encroach on adjacent lanes or boundaries
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different lateral velocity adjustments based on the specific situation: when encroachment risk is detected, it reduces lateral steering magnitude; when safe to steer, it applies fuller lateral correction. This localized adaptation of control intensity resolves the contradiction between collision avoidance and lane boundary compliance
Solution Approach 2:
The lateral velocity command is dynamically adjusted based on real-time conditions including distance to boundaries, road geometry, and detected risky behavior severity. This dynamic control allows the vehicle to steer away from threats while automatically adapting to avoid encroachment on adjacent lanes or boundaries
3Reliability
If the vehicle longitudinally accelerates to increase distance from the target vehicle, then collision potential is reduced, but fuel consumption and energy use increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies longitudinal acceleration only when necessary to resolve immediate collision risks from detected risky behaviors, rather than continuously maintaining excessive distance. This partial action approach reduces fuel consumption while still achieving collision avoidance when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The longitudinal velocity command is adjusted as a parameter in response to detected risky behaviors and lateral distance measurements. The system changes acceleration parameters dynamically based on threat level, balancing collision avoidance effectiveness with energy efficiency by accelerating only when the risk threshold is exceeded
Data Source
AI summary
A collision avoidance method for a vehicle includes monitoring a lateral distance between the vehicle and a target vehicle while the vehicle is travelling within a first lane and the target vehicle is travelling within an adjacent second lane, activating a warning on the vehicle and automatically adjusting operation of the vehicle to increase the distance between the vehicle and the target vehicle when the lateral distance between the vehicle and the target vehicle is less than the threshold distance while the vehicle is travelling within the first lane. Automatically adjusting operation of the vehicle may include one or both of steering the vehicle laterally away from the target vehicle and adjusting a longitudinal velocity of the vehicle. A related collision avoidance system is also provided.