Automated Vehicle Queue-Aware Overtaking Decision at Junctions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated vehicles face challenges in determining appropriate action strategies when approaching a stationary vehicle ahead, particularly at junctions with queues, due to limitations in sensor recognition of waiting vehicles and varying traffic conditions, which can lead to unsafe overtaking maneuvers or prolonged waiting times.
Innovation Solution
The method involves determining a waiting time based on surrounding conditions, including proximity to a junction, presence of a queue, and traffic information, adjusting the waiting time with correction values, and using vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication to assess the queue length and waiting times, thereby deciding whether to initiate an overtaking maneuver or request teleoperator support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the vehicle initiates an overtaking maneuver immediately when the vehicle ahead is stationary, then the waiting time is reduced, but the risk of unsafe maneuvers increases due to unrecognized vehicles in queue at junctions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of the surrounding situation before initiating an overtaking maneuver. It checks for indications of queues at junctions, such as multiple stationary vehicles in a row, and uses this information to decide whether to wait or overtake, thereby avoiding unsafe maneuvers while minimizing waiting time
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the traffic situation and adjusts its behavior based on feedback from sensors and situation analysis. When vehicles ahead are detected to be part of a queue at a junction, the system extends the waiting time; otherwise, it proceeds with overtaking, creating a dynamic feedback-based decision mechanism
2Reliability
If the vehicle extends the waiting time to join queues at junctions, then the safety is improved by avoiding unrecognized vehicles, but the productivity decreases due to prolonged waiting
Solution Approach 1:
The waiting time is made dynamic rather than fixed. The system adjusts the waiting time based on real-time situation analysis, extending it only when queue conditions are detected at junctions. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain safety when necessary while minimizing waiting time in normal conditions, thus balancing reliability and productivity
3Measurement precision
If the vehicle uses sensor analysis to detect queues at junctions, then the accuracy of situation recognition is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional detection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The existing sensor system is used for multiple purposes: it detects both stationary vehicles during normal operation and queue conditions at junctions. The same sensors that detect the vehicle ahead are also used to analyze the broader traffic situation and identify queue patterns, eliminating the need for additional specialized detection devices
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining an action strategy of a vehicle driving in the automated driving operation when nearing a vehicle ahead which is stationary in its lane. The vehicle behind the stationary vehicle ahead stops and waits to restart its driving operation until the vehicle ahead starts up. If the vehicle is waiting for longer than a pre-determined waiting time, the vehicle initiates an overtaking maneuver to overtake the vehicle ahead, requests support via a teleoperator and/or transmits a request to take over a driving task to a vehicle user of the vehicle.