43% of all European traffic accidents that result in injuries take place at intersections. An EU research initiative presents new vehicle assistance systems in order to increase traffic safety.
The INTERSAFE 2 partners focused on the topic of safety at road junctions and technically implemented four assistance and safety applications that anticipate typical traffic situations. The assistance and safety applications are intended to assist drivers in critical situations. The aim is to considerably reduce the effects of an accident or, ideally, completely prevent it. The applications are based on sensors installed at the intersections and in vehicles and linked in a cooperative system. Information is exchanged between the intersection and the vehicle via a special radio connection and then evaluated in the vehicle so that the necessary measures can be taken. All the applications initially warn the driver with a visual and acoustic signal and, if the warning is ignored, a brief brake jerk is supposed to gain the driver’s attention.
Among the applications are right-turn and left-turn assistants, an intersection assistant and a red light violation / ignoring right of way helper. When turning right at an intersection, the right-turn assistant monitors the turning path and, in order to prevent an accident, triggers a warning when a pedestrian or cyclist approaches. The left-turn assistant analyses the oncoming traffic and evaluates the turning situation. The system warns the driver if it detects danger. If the vehicle is standing ready in the intersection and waiting for a gap in the oncoming traffic, the vehicle only releases the brakes when a suitable gap appears – in order to prevent any collision with oncoming traffic. Of course, these would have to work the other way round in Britain.
The intersection assistant monitors the transverse and crossing traffic, triggering a warning in critical situations. This is particularly useful when a direct view of the transverse traffic is blocked by other vehicles or buildings. It uses laser scanners at the intersection that detect the positions of the other road users and transfer this information to the vehicle via a wireless connection.
When a driver appears to be about to ignore a red light or a stop sign he or she initially receives a warning. If the driver fails to react, a brief brake jerk is activated in order to increase the driver’s attention level and prevent an accident or dangerous situation.
The INTERSAFE 2 research initiative supported by the European Commission DG-ICT stands for »intersection safety« and has been funded with a total budget of 6.5 million €. The European Commission has contributed 3.5 million €, while industry has provided 3 million €. Eleven partners from industry and science, located in six European countries, are participating. The aim of this research cooperation, planned to last three years, is to increase the traffic safety at intersections.
The INTERSAFE 2 partners are the BMW Group, IKA, Inria, NEC, Swarco, TRW, Conekt, VTT, SICK (project coordination), the Cluj-Napoca Technical University, Volvo AG, VIT and Volkswagen AG.
Among the applications are right-turn and left-turn assistants, an intersection assistant and a red light violation / ignoring right of way helper. When turning right at an intersection, the right-turn assistant monitors the turning path and, in order to prevent an accident, triggers a warning when a pedestrian or cyclist approaches. The left-turn assistant analyses the oncoming traffic and evaluates the turning situation. The system warns the driver if it detects danger. If the vehicle is standing ready in the intersection and waiting for a gap in the oncoming traffic, the vehicle only releases the brakes when a suitable gap appears – in order to prevent any collision with oncoming traffic. Of course, these would have to work the other way round in Britain.
The intersection assistant monitors the transverse and crossing traffic, triggering a warning in critical situations. This is particularly useful when a direct view of the transverse traffic is blocked by other vehicles or buildings. It uses laser scanners at the intersection that detect the positions of the other road users and transfer this information to the vehicle via a wireless connection.
When a driver appears to be about to ignore a red light or a stop sign he or she initially receives a warning. If the driver fails to react, a brief brake jerk is activated in order to increase the driver’s attention level and prevent an accident or dangerous situation.
The INTERSAFE 2 research initiative supported by the European Commission DG-ICT stands for »intersection safety« and has been funded with a total budget of 6.5 million €. The European Commission has contributed 3.5 million €, while industry has provided 3 million €. Eleven partners from industry and science, located in six European countries, are participating. The aim of this research cooperation, planned to last three years, is to increase the traffic safety at intersections.
The INTERSAFE 2 partners are the BMW Group, IKA, Inria, NEC, Swarco, TRW, Conekt, VTT, SICK (project coordination), the Cluj-Napoca Technical University, Volvo AG, VIT and Volkswagen AG.
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