Pedestrian crash avoidance mitigation

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Pedestrian crash avoidance mitigation (PCAM) systems (USDOT Volpe Center [1] ), also known as pedestrian protection or detection systems, use computer and artificial intelligence technology to recognize pedestrians and bicycles in an automobile's path to take action for safety. PCAM systems are often part of a pre-collision system available in several high end car manufacturers, such as Volvo and Mercedes and Lexus, [2] and used less widely in lower end cars such as Ford and Nissan. [3] As of 2018 using 2016 data, more than 6,000 pedestrians and 800 cyclists are killed every year in the US in car crashes. Effective systems deployed widely could save up to 50% of these lives. More than 270,000 pedestrians are killed every year in the world. An excellent analysis of technology capabilities and limitations is provided in Death of Elaine Herzberg. Pedestrian safety has traditionally taken a secondary role to passenger safety.

Contents

Availability

Typically, PCAM systems are part of the technology in self-driving cars and use an integrated forward-facing camera and radar or lidar system designed to help mitigate or avoid a frontal crash. However, PCAM technologies do not require self-driving technologies, just cameras and radar. Sometimes, these can be enhanced with the addition of low-light detection for pedestrians and bicycles.[ citation needed ] In 2016, the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration officially announced that automakers in the U.S. have to include the autonomous emergency braking system as a standard feature for all cars and trucks by 2022: this is a key component of PCAM. A detailed explanation for manufacturers offering emergency braking as part of a pre-collision system and often PCAM is provided in Collision avoidance system.

Functions

Under certain conditions, if the PCAM systems determine that the possibility of a frontal crash with a pedestrian or bicyclist is high, it prompts the driver to take evasive action and brake by using an audio and visual alert. If the driver notices the hazard and brakes, the system may use some sort of brake assist to provide additional braking force.

If the driver does not brake in a set time and the PCAM determine that the risk of collision with a pedestrian or bicycle is extremely high, the system may automatically apply the brakes, reducing speed to help mitigate the impact or avoid the collision entirely if possible. Usually, this is a setting the driver must make to initiate earlier, but it can be the default.

Technology

In order to recognize a pedestrian, the computational system uses AI pattern recognition technology that typically uses machine learning and deep convolutional neural networks based on millions of images. [4] In a simplified description, images from the car's camera and radar are compared to the prototypes stored in the computer. If a match is made and confirmed, the other systems in the PCAM are invoked. [5] [6] PCAM technologies can be improved with additional information from connected vehicles. [7] A thorough description of the processes for pedestrian detection in about 2010 is provided in . AI technologies have improved dramatically since then, as can be seen in an update in May 2016. [8]

PCAM systems as part of ADAS

PCAM extend the pedestrian safety systems achieved through pedestrian safety through vehicle design with automated ADAS. Volvo had the first automated braking system focused on other cars, but including pedestrians in 2009. [9] The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has published the results of their tests for pre-collision automated ADAS and determined a 50% improvement with automated braking. They did not provide separate information for pedestrian safety. [10] HLDI, a part of IIHS, provides some evaluations of most of the main pre-collision ADAS. [11] They found that Subaru's Eyesight I PCAM cut insurance claims by 31% and its version II, by 40%. [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Self-driving car</span> Vehicle operated with reduced human input

A self-driving car, also known as an autonomous car (AC), driverless car, or robotic car (robo-car), is a car that is capable of traveling without human input. Self-driving cars are responsible for perceiving the environment, monitoring important systems, and control, including navigation. Perception accepts visual and audio data from outside and inside the car and interpret the input to abstractly render the vehicle and its surroundings. The control system then takes actions to move the vehicle, considering the route, road conditions, traffic controls, and obstacles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Automotive safety</span> Study and practice to minimize the occurrence and consequences of motor vehicle accidents

Automotive safety is the study and practice of automotive design, construction, equipment and regulation to minimize the occurrence and consequences of traffic collisions involving motor vehicles. Road traffic safety more broadly includes roadway design.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volvo Cars</span> Swedish multinational manufacturer of luxury vehicles

Volvo Cars is a Swedish multinational manufacturer of luxury vehicles and is owned by Geely Auto which is the primary car marque of Chinese group Geely. Volvo is headquartered in Torslanda, Gothenburg. The company manufactures SUVs, station wagons, and sedans. The company's main marketing arguments are safety and its Swedish heritage and design.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acura RL</span> Motor vehicle

The Acura RL is a full-size luxury car that was manufactured by the Acura division of Honda for the 1996–2012 model years over two generations. The RL was the flagship of the marque, having succeeded the Acura Legend, and was replaced in 2013 by the Acura RLX. All models of the Legend, RL and RLX lines have been adapted from the Japanese domestic market Honda Legend. The model name "RL" is an abbreviation for "Refined Luxury."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Advanced driver-assistance system</span> Electronic systems that help a vehicle driver while driving or parking

An advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) includes technologies that assist drivers with the safe operation of a vehicle. Through a human-machine interface, ADAS increases car and road safety. ADAS uses automated technology, such as sensors and cameras, to detect nearby obstacles or driver errors, and respond accordingly. ADAS can enable various levels of autonomous driving.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lane departure warning system</span> Mechanism designed to warn a driver when the vehicle begins to move out of its lane

In road-transport terminology, a lane departure warning system (LDWS) is a mechanism designed to warn the driver when the vehicle begins to move out of its lane on freeways and arterial roads. These systems are designed to minimize accidents by addressing the main causes of collisions: driver error, distractions and drowsiness. In 2009 the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) began studying whether to mandate lane departure warning systems and frontal collision warning systems on automobiles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Insurance Institute for Highway Safety</span> U.S. nonprofit organization

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and Highway Loss Data Institute (IIHS-HLDI) is an American nonprofit organization. It was established in 1959, and it is noted for its safety reviews of vehicles in various simulated traffic situations, including the effectiveness of a vehicle's structural integrity and safety systems during a collision, in addition to examining improvement on such elements.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pedestrian safety through vehicle design</span>

In May 2013 the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that more than 270,000 pedestrians lose their lives on the world’s roads each year, accounting for 22% of the total 1.24 million road traffic deaths. Despite the magnitude of the problem, most attempts at reducing pedestrian deaths had historically focused solely on education and traffic regulation. Since the 1970s, crash engineers have begun to use design principles that have proved successful in protecting car occupants to develop vehicle design concepts that reduce the likelihood of injuries to pedestrians in the event of a car-pedestrian crash, or reduce the likelihood of a car-pedestrian crash in the first place.

The term active safety is used in two distinct ways.

Brake assist or emergency brake assist (EBA) is a term for an automobile braking technology that increases braking pressure in an emergency. The first application was developed jointly by Daimler-Benz and TRW/LucasVarity. Research conducted in 1992 at the Mercedes-Benz driving simulator in Berlin revealed that more than 90% of drivers fail to brake with enough force when faced with an emergency.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adaptive cruise control</span> Cruise control advanced driver-assistance system

Adaptive cruise control (ACC) is a type of advanced driver-assistance system for road vehicles that automatically adjusts the vehicle speed to maintain a safe distance from vehicles ahead. As of 2019, it is also called by 20 unique names that describe that basic functionality. This is also known as Dynamic cruise control.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vehicle safety technology</span> Special technology developed to ensure the safety and security of automobiles

Vehicle safety technology (VST) in the automotive industry refers to the special technology developed to ensure the safety and security of automobiles and their passengers. The term encompasses a broad umbrella of projects and devices within the automotive world. Notable examples of VST include geo-fencing capabilities, remote speed sensing, theft deterrence, damage mitigation, vehicle-to-vehicle communication, and car-to-computer communication devices which use GPS tracking.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Collision avoidance system</span> Motorcar safety system

A collision avoidance system (CAS), also known as a pre-crash system, forward collision warning system (FCW), or collision mitigation system, is an advanced driver-assistance system designed to prevent or reduce the severity of a collision. In its basic form, a forward collision warning system monitors a vehicle's speed, the speed of the vehicle in front of it, and the distance between the vehicles, so that it can provide a warning to the driver if the vehicles get too close, potentially helping to avoid a crash. Various technologies and sensors that are used include radar (all-weather) and sometimes laser (LIDAR) and cameras to detect an imminent crash. GPS sensors can detect fixed dangers such as approaching stop signs through a location database. Pedestrian detection can also be a feature of these types of systems.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Automotive night vision</span> Vehicle safety system

An automotive night vision system uses a thermographic camera to increase a driver's perception and seeing distance in darkness or poor weather beyond the reach of the vehicle's headlights. Such systems are offered as optional equipment on certain premium vehicles. The technology was first introduced in the year 2000 on the Cadillac Deville. This technology is based on the night vision devices (NVD), which generally denotes any electronically enhanced optical devices operate in three modes: image enhancement, thermal imaging, and active illumination. The automotive night vision system is a combination of NVDs such as infrared cameras, GPS, Lidar, and Radar, among others to sense and detect objects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lexus GS (S190)</span> Motor vehicle

The Lexus GS (S190) is the third generation of the Lexus GS line of executive cars. Sold by Lexus since 2005, the line includes multiple V6, V8, and hybrid models. A concept model for the GS line, the LF-S, debuted in late 2003 at the Tokyo Motor Show. The third generation GS first appeared as a pre-production vehicle at the 2004 North American International Auto Show in Detroit with the production version being shown a year later at the 2005 show. The initial lineup featured V6 and V8 engines with rear-wheel drive, and for the first time on a Lexus sedan, the option of all-wheel drive with the V6-powered GS 300 and GS 350 models. The GS 450h performance hybrid joined the lineup in 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Automated emergency braking system</span>

The World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations define AEBS. UN ECE regulation 131 requires a system which can automatically detect a potential forward collision and activate the vehicle braking system to decelerate a vehicle with the purpose of avoiding or mitigating a collision. UN ECE regulation 152 says deceleration has to be at least 5 metres per second squared.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tesla Autopilot</span> Suite of advanced driver-assistance system features by Tesla

Tesla Autopilot is an advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) developed by Tesla that amounts to partial vehicle automation. Tesla provides "Base Autopilot" on all vehicles, which includes lane centering and traffic-aware cruise control. Owners may purchase an upgrade to "Enhanced Autopilot" (EA) which adds semi-autonomous navigation on limited access roadways, self-parking, and the ability to summon the car from a garage or parking spot. The company claims the features reduce accidents caused by driver negligence and fatigue from long-term driving. Collisions and deaths involving Tesla cars with Autopilot engaged have drawn the attention of the press and government agencies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lane centering</span> Mechanism designed to keep a car centered in the lane

In road-transport terminology, lane centering, also known as auto steer or autosteer, is an advanced driver-assistance system that keeps a road vehicle centered in the lane, relieving the driver of the task of steering. Lane centering is similar to lane departure warning and lane keeping assist, but rather than warn the driver, or bouncing the car away from the lane edge, it keeps the car centered in the lane. Together with adaptive cruise control (ACC), this feature may allow unassisted driving for some length of time. It is also part of automated lane keeping systems.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lexus UX</span> Motor vehicle

The Lexus UX is a subcompact luxury crossover SUV from Lexus, a luxury division of Toyota. It was introduced at the March 2018 Geneva Motor Show as the smallest crossover model in Lexus' lineup prior to the introduction of LBX in 2023, it is currently slotted above the subcompact LBX and below the compact NX. It is also the first Lexus model based on the same GA-C platform as the E210 series Toyota Corolla. The "UX" name stands for "Urban Explorer".

The death of Elaine Herzberg was the first recorded case of a pedestrian fatality involving a self-driving car, after a collision that occurred late in the evening of March 18, 2018. Herzberg was pushing a bicycle across a four-lane road in Tempe, Arizona, United States, when she was struck by an Uber test vehicle, which was operating in self-drive mode with a human safety backup driver sitting in the driving seat. Herzberg was taken to the local hospital where she died of her injuries.

References

  1. ↑ "Home". volpe.dot.gov.
  2. ↑ "2019 Lexus UX has advanced features - TelematicsWire". Archived from the original on 2018-10-06. Retrieved 2018-10-05.
  3. ↑ Yanagisawa, M., Swanson, E., Azeredo, P., & Najm, W. G. (2017, April). Estimation of potential safety benefits for pedestrian crash avoidance/mitigation systems. (Report No. DOT HS 812 400). Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
  4. ↑ Lienhard Pfeifer. Shearlet Features for Pedestrian Detection. July 2018. Journal of Mathematical Imaging and Vision.DOI: 10.1007/s10851-018-0834-9
  5. ↑ Mccall, Benjamin T. "ADVANCED DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS : AN ANALYSIS OF PEDESTRIAN PROTECTION SYSTEMS AND AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING IN THE MODERN AUTOMOBILE" (PDF). S2CID   5018327 . Retrieved 15 February 2023.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  6. ↑ Sanatkumar, Rajashri; Gandhe, S.T.; Dhulekar, Pravin (15 October 2015). "Pedestrian Protection System for ADAS using ARM 9" (PDF). International Journal of Computer Applications. 127 (2): 19–23. Bibcode:2015IJCA..127b..19S. doi:10.5120/ijca2015906327 . Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  7. ↑ "ITS ePrimer Module 13: Connected Vehicles - ITS Professional Capacity Building Program".
  8. ↑ "Pedestrian Detection – Elektra".
  9. ↑ "Pedestrian Detection Systems — Modern Auto-Brake Technology".
  10. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-10-05. Retrieved 2018-10-05.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  11. ↑ "HLDI Research". Archived from the original on 2018-10-05. Retrieved 2018-10-05.
  12. ↑ Karush, Sarah. Stewart, Kim (ed.). "On Foot, at Risk: Study highlights rising pedestrian deaths, points toward solutions" (PDF). IIHS Status Report Newsletter. Vol. 53, no. 3. pp. 1–8. Archived from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
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