Vehicle Path Projection Warning for Turning Pedestrian Risk
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing traffic warning systems fail to provide adequate advance warnings for vehicles, particularly articulating vehicles, during forward, rearward, or turning maneuvers, leading to potential collisions with pedestrians, cyclists, and other obstacles, as they do not predict vehicle pathways or provide sufficient alerts for such scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A warning system that uses LIDAR and photogrammetry techniques to predict vehicle pathways and emit coherent light beams, such as high-irradiance laser light, to map the imminent path and provide advance warnings to drivers and pedestrians, incorporating sensors, controllers, and display devices for real-time feedback and guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional sensors and warning devices are used for traffic control, then basic detection and warning functions are provided, but advance prediction of vehicle pathways and sufficient warning time for vulnerable road users are not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by predicting the vehicle's future pathway in advance of the actual movement. The controller calculates where the vehicle will be positioned during forward, rearward, or turning maneuvers before the vehicle actually reaches those positions, allowing warnings to be issued earlier to vulnerable road users.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary prediction layer between the vehicle's current state and its future position. Rather than directly detecting objects at current positions, the system uses sensor data combined with vehicle dynamics modeling to predict future pathways, creating an intermediate representation of where the vehicle will travel.
2Loss of information
If LIDAR and photogrammetry techniques are used to predict vehicle pathways and map imminent paths with laser beams, then advance warning capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies multi-functionality by using a single integrated controller that performs multiple tasks: processing LIDAR data, executing photogrammetry algorithms, predicting vehicle pathways, controlling laser beam projection, and managing audio-visual warnings. This consolidates what could be separate complex subsystems into one unified control unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces mechanical prediction methods with optical and computational approaches. Instead of using physical markers or mechanical indicators to show vehicle path, the system uses LIDAR for spatial mapping, photogrammetry for visual analysis, and projected laser beams to display the predicted pathway.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If optical and audio feedback systems are implemented for real-time warning, then warning effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic action by activating optical and audio warnings only during specific conditions such as forward motion, rearward motion, or turning maneuvers. The controller continuously monitors vehicle state and triggers warnings periodically when needed rather than operating continuously, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining effectiveness during critical phases.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively reduces the number and severity of accidents by providing ample advance warnings, improving awareness for vulnerable road users and facilitating safe vehicle maneuvers, especially in urban areas and during complex turns.
Implementation Method 1
U.S Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0114125 to Kubota of Aisin AW Co., Ltd. (hereinafter 'Aisin') discloses a proximity warning apparatus, method, and program involving a vehicle and having sensors disposed on the vehicle for detecting surrounding objects or vehicle parameters, rotatable laser beam generator disposed on the vehicle for emitting and projecting laser beam(s) onto objects in the environment surrounding the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
at least one rotatable optical and audio signal generator, such as a laser, any type of lighting device, or any device for providing a physical indication, for indicating an extent of a path that a vehicle is likely to take
Implementation Method 3
A warning system that uses LIDAR and photogrammetry techniques to predict vehicle pathways
Data Source
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AI summary
Warning systems (S) and methods (M1, M2) for alerting traffic and pedestrians within a projectable area in relation to a location and path of a vehicle (100), e.g., an articulated vehicle during forward or rearward motions and turning manoeuvres. Beam(s) (98) of coherent light, e.g., high-irradiance laser light, are emitted from point(s) relative to the vehicle (100), preferably from a high angle for reducing eye exposure. Laser beam(s) map a grid on the roadway and adjacent areas of the imminent path of the turning vehicle (100), by way of a set of instructions executable by a processor. The instructions involve computing, programming, and/or updating vehicle parameters, in relation to a warning device (99), e.g., a retrofittable and/or programmable device, in response to changes in vehicle-configuration or warning system (S) location, the warning system (S) being manually or automatically triggerable in response to sensors disposed in relation to the vehicle (100).