Vehicle Overtake Control Using Lane Direction and Timing Constraints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles are unable to perform overtake maneuvers efficiently, leading to safety issues, traffic backups, and inefficiencies due to operator-dependent decisions.
Innovation Solution
A controller system that determines overtake velocity, time, and lane traffic direction to execute maneuvers by adjusting engine or transmission parameters or providing commands to operators, considering vehicle and front vehicle parameters, lane traffic, and oncoming vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If overtake maneuvers are performed by operator judgment, then flexibility in decision-making is improved, but safety deteriorates due to human error and inconsistency
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the vehicle to autonomously perform overtake maneuvers by integrating sensors, controllers, and execution mechanisms. The vehicle self-evaluates conditions (oncoming traffic, road geometry, speed limits) and self-executes the maneuver without operator intervention, eliminating human error while maintaining operational flexibility through automated decision-making algorithms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the human operator's mechanical decision-making process with an automated control system comprising sensors (radar, cameras, LIDAR), processors, and actuators. This substitution transforms the manual judgment-and-action sequence into an integrated automated system that continuously monitors conditions and executes maneuvers based on pre-programmed safety criteria and real-time data analysis
2Productivity
If overtake maneuvers are executed quickly to reduce travel time, then productivity is improved, but safety deteriorates due to increased risk of collision
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary evaluation of overtake conditions before initiating the maneuver. Sensors detect oncoming traffic, road geometry, and speed limits in advance, allowing the controller to calculate safe acceleration profiles and timing. This preliminary assessment ensures that high-speed overtakes are only executed when safety margins are satisfied, combining productivity with collision avoidance
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adjusts overtake parameters (acceleration rate, duration, final speed) based on real-time conditions. The system optimizes the maneuver to complete overtaking in minimum time while continuously adapting to changing environmental factors such as oncoming vehicle speed, road gradient, and weather conditions, maintaining safety margins throughout the dynamic process
3Productivity
If overtake maneuvers are performed without velocity verification to improve efficiency, then productivity is improved, but harmful factors increase due to exceeding speed limits
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates continuous feedback loops that monitor actual vehicle velocity during the overtake maneuver and compare it against predetermined speed limits and safe operating thresholds. The controller receives real-time data from speed sensors and adjusts acceleration commands to ensure the vehicle remains within legal and safety-bound velocity ranges, preventing harmful speed violations while maintaining efficient maneuver execution
Data Source
AI summary
A system for controlling an overtake maneuver of a control vehicle includes a controller. The controller is structured to: receive at least one overtake parameter associated with a control vehicle for overtaking a front vehicle in a vehicle lane; receive an indication of a direction of traffic in an overtake lane that is adjacent to the vehicle lane; receive an indication that the at least one overtake parameter satisfies at least one condition according to the direction of the traffic in the overtake lane; and in response to the at least one overtake parameter satisfying the at least one condition according to the direction of traffic in the overtake lane, execute an overtake maneuver by adjusting at least one parameter of the control vehicle or providing a command to an operator of the control vehicle to execute the overtake maneuver.