Wide Turn Detection Using Turn Signals and Lane Position
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in detecting wide turn maneuvers by vehicles, especially for partially or fully autonomous vehicles, which can lead to accidents due to unrecognized maneuvers by other traffic participants.
Innovation Solution
A method for detecting wide turn maneuvers involves analyzing turn signal status, lane position, turn distance, vehicle type, and speed, using data from navigation units and central databases, to determine if a vehicle is performing a wide turn maneuver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a vehicle performs a wide turn maneuver from a non-outermost lane, then the vehicle can navigate narrow corners, but other traffic participants cannot recognize the maneuver and may collide
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of wide turn maneuvers by analyzing turn signal status, lane position, and vehicle type before the maneuver completes. This early detection allows the ego-vehicle to anticipate and prepare for the wide turn, resolving the contradiction by making the maneuver recognizable in advance rather than reacting to collision risk after it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary detection system that uses turn signal status, lane position data, and vehicle type information as intermediate indicators to infer wide turn maneuvers. This intermediary approach allows indirect detection of the maneuver intent, bridging the gap between the turning vehicle's action and other participants' awareness.
2Reliability
If the ego-vehicle maintains a safety distance from the turning vehicle, then collision risk is reduced, but traffic flow efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the safety distance based on the detected wide turn maneuver status. When a wide turn is detected, the ego-vehicle increases following distance; when no wide turn is detected, normal following distance is maintained. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by applying safety measures only when necessary, maintaining both safety and efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the safety distance parameter conditionally based on detected maneuver characteristics. The system monitors turn signal status, lane position, and vehicle type to determine when to adjust the safety distance parameter, allowing flexible adaptation between safety and efficiency requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosure relates to a method for detecting a wide turn maneuver of a vehicle (18) travelling on a road segment (34) ahead of an ego-vehicle (16) which is travelling on the same road segment (34). The method comprises detecting a turn signal status of the vehicle (18), a lane status of the vehicle (18), receiving a turn distance information (D) describing a distance to an upcoming turn and comparing the turn distance information (D) to a turn distance threshold. Subsequently, it is determined that the vehicle (18) is performing a wide turn maneuver, if the left turn signal only is activated and the vehicle (18) is travelling right of an ego-lane (32). Alternatively, it is determined that the vehicle (18) is performing a wide turn if the right turn signal only is activated and the vehicle (18) is travelling left of the ego-lane (32). Moreover, a method for operating an ego-vehicle (16) is presented. This method comprising the execution of the method for detecting a wide turn maneuver. Additionally, a data processing apparatus (20), a computer program (28), and a computer-readable storage medium (26) are explained.