Malose John Mathiane, Chunling Tu, Pius Adewale, M. Nawej
One of the world’s challenges is the amount of traffic on the roads. Waiting for the green light is a major cause of traffic congestion. Low throughput rates and eventual congestion come from many traffic signals that are hard coded, irrespective of the volume of the amount of traffic. Instead of depending on predefined time intervals, it is essential to build a traffic signal control system that can react to changing vehicle densities. Emergency vehicles, like ambulances, must be given priority at the intersection so as not to spend more time at the traffic light. Computer vision techniques can be used to improve road traffic signal control and reduce real-time traffic delays at intersections without the requirement for substantial infrastructure analysis. Long wait times and significant energy consumption are just two of the problems of the current traffic signal control system. To optimal efficiency, the traffic signal’s duration must be dynamically changed to account for current traffic volume. To lessen congestion, the approach taken in this research focuses on modifying traffic signal time determined by the density of vehicles at the crossroads. The main purpose of this article is to demonstrate heavy traffic and emergency vehicle prioritization from all directions at the traffic intersection for a speedy passage. Using the Pygame tool, the proposed method in this study, which includes a mechanism for estimating traffic density and prioritization by counting vehicles at a traffic junction, is demonstrated. The vehicle throughput for the adaptive traffic light built using Pygame is compared with the vehicle pass rate for the adaptive traffic light built using Simulation of Urban Mobility (SUMO). The simulation results show that the adaptive traffic light built using Pygame achieves 90% throughput compared to the adaptive traffic light built using SUMO. A Two-Dimensional Convolutional Neural Network (2D-CNN) is implemented using Tensorflow for vehicle classification. The 2D-CNN model demonstrated 96% accuracy in classifying vehicles using the test dataset. Additionally, emergency vehicles, such as ambulances, are given priority for quick passing.
{"title":"A Vehicle Density Estimation Traffic Light Control System Using a Two-Dimensional Convolution Neural Network","authors":"Malose John Mathiane, Chunling Tu, Pius Adewale, M. Nawej","doi":"10.3390/vehicles5040099","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/vehicles5040099","url":null,"abstract":"One of the world’s challenges is the amount of traffic on the roads. Waiting for the green light is a major cause of traffic congestion. Low throughput rates and eventual congestion come from many traffic signals that are hard coded, irrespective of the volume of the amount of traffic. Instead of depending on predefined time intervals, it is essential to build a traffic signal control system that can react to changing vehicle densities. Emergency vehicles, like ambulances, must be given priority at the intersection so as not to spend more time at the traffic light. Computer vision techniques can be used to improve road traffic signal control and reduce real-time traffic delays at intersections without the requirement for substantial infrastructure analysis. Long wait times and significant energy consumption are just two of the problems of the current traffic signal control system. To optimal efficiency, the traffic signal’s duration must be dynamically changed to account for current traffic volume. To lessen congestion, the approach taken in this research focuses on modifying traffic signal time determined by the density of vehicles at the crossroads. The main purpose of this article is to demonstrate heavy traffic and emergency vehicle prioritization from all directions at the traffic intersection for a speedy passage. Using the Pygame tool, the proposed method in this study, which includes a mechanism for estimating traffic density and prioritization by counting vehicles at a traffic junction, is demonstrated. The vehicle throughput for the adaptive traffic light built using Pygame is compared with the vehicle pass rate for the adaptive traffic light built using Simulation of Urban Mobility (SUMO). The simulation results show that the adaptive traffic light built using Pygame achieves 90% throughput compared to the adaptive traffic light built using SUMO. A Two-Dimensional Convolutional Neural Network (2D-CNN) is implemented using Tensorflow for vehicle classification. The 2D-CNN model demonstrated 96% accuracy in classifying vehicles using the test dataset. Additionally, emergency vehicles, such as ambulances, are given priority for quick passing.","PeriodicalId":509694,"journal":{"name":"Vehicles","volume":"37 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139178537","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Martin Skoglund, Fredrik Warg, Anders Thorsén, Mats Bergman
The emergence of Automated Driving Systems (ADSs) has transformed the landscape of safety assessment. ADSs, capable of controlling a vehicle without human intervention, represent a significant shift from traditional driver-centric approaches to vehicle safety. While traditional safety assessments rely on the assumption of a human driver in control, ADSs require a different approach that acknowledges the machine as the primary driver. Before market introduction, it is necessary to confirm the vehicle safety claimed by the manufacturer. The complexity of the systems necessitates a new comprehensive safety assessment that examines and validates the hazard identification and safety-by-design concepts and ensures that the ADS meets the relevant safety requirements throughout the vehicle lifecycle. The presented work aims to enhance the effectiveness of the assessment performed by a homologation service provider by using assessment templates based on refined requirement attributes that link to the operational design domain (ODD) and the use of Key Enabling Technologies (KETs), such as communication, positioning, and cybersecurity, in the implementation of ADSs. The refined requirement attributes can serve as safety-performance indicators to assist the evaluation of the design soundness of the ODD. The contributions of this paper are: (1) outlining a method for deriving assessment templates for use in future ADS assessments; (2) demonstrating the method by analysing three KETs with respect to such assessment templates; and (3) demonstrating the use of assessment templates on a use case, an unmanned (remotely assisted) truck in a limited ODD. By employing assessment templates tailored to the technology reliance of the identified use case, the evaluation process gained clarity through assessable attributes, assessment criteria, and functional scenarios linked to the ODD and KETs.
自动驾驶系统(ADS)的出现改变了安全评估的格局。自动驾驶系统能够在没有人类干预的情况下控制车辆,与传统的以驾驶员为中心的车辆安全评估方法相比,自动驾驶系统发生了重大转变。传统的安全评估依赖于人类驾驶员控制的假设,而自动驾驶汽车则需要一种不同的方法,即承认机器是主要的驾驶员。在引入市场之前,有必要确认制造商声称的车辆安全性。由于系统的复杂性,有必要进行新的全面安全评估,对危险识别和安全设计概念进行检查和验证,确保自动驾驶辅助系统在整个车辆生命周期内满足相关的安全要求。本文介绍的工作旨在通过使用基于细化需求属性的评估模板,提高由认证服务提供商执行的评估的有效性,这些细化需求属性与运行设计域(ODD)和关键使能技术(KET)的使用相关联,如在 ADS 实施过程中的通信、定位和网络安全。细化后的需求属性可作为安全性能指标,帮助评估运行设计域的设计合理性。本文的贡献在于(1)概述了一种用于未来自动变速器评估的评估模板的推导方法;(2)通过分析与此类评估模板相关的三个 KET 来演示该方法;以及(3)在一个使用案例中演示评估模板的使用,该使用案例是一辆无人驾驶(遥控辅助)卡车在一个有限的 ODD 中的使用。通过采用针对已确定用例的技术依赖性量身定制的评估模板,评估过程通过与 ODD 和 KET 相关联的可评估属性、评估标准和功能场景变得更加清晰。
{"title":"Enhancing Safety Assessment of Automated Driving Systems with Key Enabling Technology Assessment Templates","authors":"Martin Skoglund, Fredrik Warg, Anders Thorsén, Mats Bergman","doi":"10.3390/vehicles5040098","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/vehicles5040098","url":null,"abstract":"The emergence of Automated Driving Systems (ADSs) has transformed the landscape of safety assessment. ADSs, capable of controlling a vehicle without human intervention, represent a significant shift from traditional driver-centric approaches to vehicle safety. While traditional safety assessments rely on the assumption of a human driver in control, ADSs require a different approach that acknowledges the machine as the primary driver. Before market introduction, it is necessary to confirm the vehicle safety claimed by the manufacturer. The complexity of the systems necessitates a new comprehensive safety assessment that examines and validates the hazard identification and safety-by-design concepts and ensures that the ADS meets the relevant safety requirements throughout the vehicle lifecycle. The presented work aims to enhance the effectiveness of the assessment performed by a homologation service provider by using assessment templates based on refined requirement attributes that link to the operational design domain (ODD) and the use of Key Enabling Technologies (KETs), such as communication, positioning, and cybersecurity, in the implementation of ADSs. The refined requirement attributes can serve as safety-performance indicators to assist the evaluation of the design soundness of the ODD. The contributions of this paper are: (1) outlining a method for deriving assessment templates for use in future ADS assessments; (2) demonstrating the method by analysing three KETs with respect to such assessment templates; and (3) demonstrating the use of assessment templates on a use case, an unmanned (remotely assisted) truck in a limited ODD. By employing assessment templates tailored to the technology reliance of the identified use case, the evaluation process gained clarity through assessable attributes, assessment criteria, and functional scenarios linked to the ODD and KETs.","PeriodicalId":509694,"journal":{"name":"Vehicles","volume":"9 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139181838","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Electric vehicles and photovoltaic power stations can play an important role in replacing fossil fuels. This article presents a case study on the placement of charging stations powered by photovoltaic energy along an important highway in Brazil. A demand model was adopted to elaborate three scenarios for 2030 with different participation levels of electric vehicles in the Brazilian market. An optimized allocation model was used to derive the location and number of charging stations required to meet the charging demand. The results provided a list of adequate locations for installing the charging stations and offered insights into the consumed electricity and greenhouse gas emissions that could be mitigated by these actions. A financial analysis was conducted, and it was determined that the charging costs, based on the Internal Rate of Return calculation, were 10%. These costs were compared to the fueling costs of other traditional vehicles. The results showed that the costs can be 72% lower than the cost of refueling current conventional automobiles. The results of this study can serve as a reference in the public policy debate, as well as for investors in fast charging stations.
{"title":"Electric Vehicles Charged with Solar-PV: A Brazilian Case Study for 2030","authors":"Danilo da Costa, Vladimir Rafael Melian Cobas","doi":"10.3390/vehicles5040095","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/vehicles5040095","url":null,"abstract":"Electric vehicles and photovoltaic power stations can play an important role in replacing fossil fuels. This article presents a case study on the placement of charging stations powered by photovoltaic energy along an important highway in Brazil. A demand model was adopted to elaborate three scenarios for 2030 with different participation levels of electric vehicles in the Brazilian market. An optimized allocation model was used to derive the location and number of charging stations required to meet the charging demand. The results provided a list of adequate locations for installing the charging stations and offered insights into the consumed electricity and greenhouse gas emissions that could be mitigated by these actions. A financial analysis was conducted, and it was determined that the charging costs, based on the Internal Rate of Return calculation, were 10%. These costs were compared to the fueling costs of other traditional vehicles. The results showed that the costs can be 72% lower than the cost of refueling current conventional automobiles. The results of this study can serve as a reference in the public policy debate, as well as for investors in fast charging stations.","PeriodicalId":509694,"journal":{"name":"Vehicles","volume":"66 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139206939","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alexander Haas, Gregor Menze, P. Sieberg, Dieter Schramm
Since electric power steering has replaced hydraulic power steering in passenger cars, steering feedback has become a challenging task in steering system development. Test benches represent a valid approach for improving steering feedback since they allow investigations without the real vehicle. To improve the applicability of feedback evaluations on a steering test bench, this paper aims to identify improvements in the current evaluation technique to obtain objective parameters that correlate with a subjective evaluation of safety-relevant steering feedback. Therefore, a previously reported approach of a chirp rack force excitation, using the magnitude of the transfer function from the rack force to steering wheel torque to describe steering feedback, is compared to a similar identification approach in which a pseudo-random-binary-sequence signal is utilized. To reflect realistic applications, driving maneuvers are transferred to the test bench to identify relevant objective data. For a valid representation of the steering wheel operation, a human grip model is implemented and compared to a fixed steering wheel angle control. It is shown that the random signal represents a valid and, on average, improved approach to objectively evaluating the steering feedback. Furthermore, a recommendation can be made to include the human grip model in the feedback evaluation tests, as the identified correlation results are improved by its inclusion. The identified parameters and methods represent an improvement for future steering feedback development.
{"title":"An Objective Evaluation Approach for Safety-Relevant Steering Feedback on a Test Bench","authors":"Alexander Haas, Gregor Menze, P. Sieberg, Dieter Schramm","doi":"10.3390/vehicles5040094","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/vehicles5040094","url":null,"abstract":"Since electric power steering has replaced hydraulic power steering in passenger cars, steering feedback has become a challenging task in steering system development. Test benches represent a valid approach for improving steering feedback since they allow investigations without the real vehicle. To improve the applicability of feedback evaluations on a steering test bench, this paper aims to identify improvements in the current evaluation technique to obtain objective parameters that correlate with a subjective evaluation of safety-relevant steering feedback. Therefore, a previously reported approach of a chirp rack force excitation, using the magnitude of the transfer function from the rack force to steering wheel torque to describe steering feedback, is compared to a similar identification approach in which a pseudo-random-binary-sequence signal is utilized. To reflect realistic applications, driving maneuvers are transferred to the test bench to identify relevant objective data. For a valid representation of the steering wheel operation, a human grip model is implemented and compared to a fixed steering wheel angle control. It is shown that the random signal represents a valid and, on average, improved approach to objectively evaluating the steering feedback. Furthermore, a recommendation can be made to include the human grip model in the feedback evaluation tests, as the identified correlation results are improved by its inclusion. The identified parameters and methods represent an improvement for future steering feedback development.","PeriodicalId":509694,"journal":{"name":"Vehicles","volume":"27 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139221390","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Gábor Vida, Gábor Melegh, Árpád Süveges, Nóra Wenszky, Á. Török
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) offer a promising solution for road accident scene documentation. This study seeks to investigate the occurrence of systematic deformations, such as bowling and doming, in the 3D point cloud and orthomosaic generated from images captured by UAVs along an horizontal road segment, while exploring how adjustments in flight patterns can rectify these errors. Four consumer-grade UAVs were deployed, all flying at an altitude of 10 m while acquiring images along two different routes. Processing solely nadir images resulted in significant deformations in the outputs. However, when additional images from a circular flight around a designated Point of Interest (POI), captured with an oblique camera axis, were incorporated into the dataset, these errors were notably reduced. The resulting measurement errors remained within the 0–5 cm range, well below the customary error margins in accident reconstruction. Remarkably, the entire procedure was completed within 15 min, which is half the estimated minimum duration for scene investigation. This approach demonstrates the potential for UAVs to efficiently record road accident sites for official documentation, obviating the need for pre-established Ground Control Points (GCP) or the adoption of Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) drones or Post Processed Kinematic (PPK) technology.
{"title":"Analysis of UAV Flight Patterns for Road Accident Site Investigation","authors":"Gábor Vida, Gábor Melegh, Árpád Süveges, Nóra Wenszky, Á. Török","doi":"10.3390/vehicles5040093","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/vehicles5040093","url":null,"abstract":"Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) offer a promising solution for road accident scene documentation. This study seeks to investigate the occurrence of systematic deformations, such as bowling and doming, in the 3D point cloud and orthomosaic generated from images captured by UAVs along an horizontal road segment, while exploring how adjustments in flight patterns can rectify these errors. Four consumer-grade UAVs were deployed, all flying at an altitude of 10 m while acquiring images along two different routes. Processing solely nadir images resulted in significant deformations in the outputs. However, when additional images from a circular flight around a designated Point of Interest (POI), captured with an oblique camera axis, were incorporated into the dataset, these errors were notably reduced. The resulting measurement errors remained within the 0–5 cm range, well below the customary error margins in accident reconstruction. Remarkably, the entire procedure was completed within 15 min, which is half the estimated minimum duration for scene investigation. This approach demonstrates the potential for UAVs to efficiently record road accident sites for official documentation, obviating the need for pre-established Ground Control Points (GCP) or the adoption of Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) drones or Post Processed Kinematic (PPK) technology.","PeriodicalId":509694,"journal":{"name":"Vehicles","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139234581","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}