Collision Prevention Research Articles

Enhancing UAV Swarm Tactics with Edge AI: Adaptive Decision Making in Changing Environments

This paper presents a drone system that uses an improved network topology and MultiAgent Reinforcement Learning (MARL) to enhance mission performance in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) swarms across various scenarios. We propose a UAV swarm system that allows drones to efficiently perform tasks with limited information sharing and optimal action selection through our Efficient Self UAV Swarm Network (ESUSN) and reinforcement learning (RL). The system reduces communication delay by 53% and energy consumption by 63% compared with traditional MESH networks with five drones and achieves a 64% shorter delay and 78% lower energy consumption with ten drones. Compared with nonreinforcement learning-based systems, mission performance and collision prevention improved significantly, with the proposed system achieving zero collisions in scenarios involving up to ten drones. These results demonstrate that training drone swarms through MARL and optimized information sharing significantly increases mission efficiency and reliability, allowing for the simultaneous operation of multiple drones.

Smart Rumble Strip System to Prevent Over-Height Vehicle Collisions.

Collisions of over-height vehicles with low clearance bridges is commonly encountered worldwide. They have caused damage to bridge structures, interruption to traffic, injuries or even fatalities to road users. To mitigate such risks, passive systems that involve warning gantries, flashing lights and illuminated signage are commonly installed. Semi-active systems using laser- or infrared-based detection systems in conjunction with visual warnings have been implemented. Nevertheless, some drivers ignore these visual warnings and collisions continue to occur. This paper presents a novel concept for a collision prevention system, which makes use of a series of sensor-activated, motorized rumble strips. These rumble strips span across a certain distance ahead of a low clearance bridge. When an over-height vehicle is detected, a mechanism is triggered which elevates the rumble strips. The noise and vibrations produce a vigorous alert to the offending driver. They also increase effective friction of the road surface, thus assisting to slow down the vehicle and shorten the stopping distance. The strips will be lowered after a certain time has elapsed, thus minimizing their effects on other vehicles. This article presents a conceptual framework and quantifies the vibration and noise caused by rumble strips in road tests. Road tests indicated that the vibration level typically exceeded 1 g and noise level reached approximately 90 dB in the cabin of a 3.5-ton truck. Fabrication of a proof-of-concept mechanized rumble strip model was presented and verified in an outdoor environment. The circuitry and mechanical design, and requirements in actual implementation, are discussed. The proposed event-triggered rumble strip system could significantly mitigate over-height vehicle collisions that cause major disruptions and injuries worldwide. Further works, including a comprehensive road test involving various types of vehicles, are envisaged.

Practical time‐varying formation cooperative control for high‐order nonlinear multi‐agent systems avoiding spatial resource conflict via safety constraints

AbstractThe operation of multi‐agent systems (MAS) in space necessitates considerations for obstacle avoidance, collision prevention, and connectivity among agents. This coupling conflict, stemming from spatial resource utilization, poses a significant and non‐negligible threat to the safe operation of MAS. This article proposes a consensus control scheme for the time‐varying formation of MAS, incorporating functions for maintaining connectivity, collision avoidance, and obstacle dodging. This scheme effectively constrains the time‐varying formation tracking error within an arbitrarily small range. The considered system model takes a high‐order nonlinear form, with uncertainties and disturbances present in each order. This grants the control scheme with high generality and practicability. By employing barrier Lyapunov function to delineate the safe operational space of MAS, conflicts in spatial resource utilization are avoided. This approach simultaneously fulfills the requirements for connectivity maintenance, collision avoidance, and obstacle dodging in the safe operation of MAS. An additional rotation operator is integrated into the controller to smoothly address the “minima” problem, eliminating the need for external intervention. Gaussian radial basis function is used to estimate the nonlinear terms, uncertainties, and unknown perturbation online in the system. The stability of the MAS under the proposed control scheme is analyzed through Lyapunov function. Finally, numerical simulation results are demonstrated to explain the effectiveness of the control scheme.

A new wake superposition model and its application in collision prevention control of tri-riser array system

In the field of offshore oil exploitation, the compact multi-riser arrangement increases the risk of collision and has an adverse impact on production and the marine environment. The solution to this problem involves accurate motion prediction and collision prevention control under the effect of flow field superposition between risers, but there is little research on this related theory. This paper improves the traditional wake shielding effect model and further proposes a wake shielding superposition effect model for the mutual influence between risers, in order to establish a comprehensive accurate motion control model for tri-riser array system. A solution method is introduced for this model, both vibration and collision analysis are conducted for the system. The study revealed that solely augmenting the spacing inadequately mitigates system collisions, and active control is an inevitable choice. Based on this, this paper further designs an active boundary controller that is easy to implement in engineering, to achieve collaborative collision prevention control for three risers, and verifies its stability. Compared with traditional PD control, the proposed control method exhibits significant superiority, which can effectively reduce vibration amplitude, significantly increase dynamic spacing, and thus effectively prevent collisions between risers.

Research on High-Pressure Water Jet Interference for Collision Prevention of Waterway Viaduct Piers: Case Study of Guangzhou Lixinsha Bridge

In this paper, with the frequent occurrence of ship–bridge collision accidents as the context and the collision accident of the Lixinsha Bridge in China as the background, the scenario of a ship impacting a pier was simulated using ANSYS-FLUENT software, and the practical application possibility of the high-pressure water jet interference (HPWJI) anti-collision method was thoroughly investigated. Through the simulation analysis, the effectiveness of a high-pressure water jet with a total flow rate of 45 m3/s in altering the navigation direction of large-tonnage (2000 t) ships and avoiding obstacles was verified. Additionally, its impact on the stress of the ship steel plates and navigation status was also explored. It was found that, with reasonable layout and parameter adjustment, the high-pressure water jet technology could effectively intervene in the ship’s navigation trajectory while ensuring the structural safety of the ship, with minimal impact on the ship’s navigation stability and passenger comfort. Furthermore, the injection angle of the high-pressure water jet had a significant impact on the deflection and deceleration of the ship. Specifically, when the water jet impacted the ship along its forward direction, it could effectively increase the ship’s deceleration and deflection time, reducing the speed from 2.55 m/s to 1.7 m/s, a decrease of approximately 33%, significantly enhancing collision prevention effectiveness. This research provides important guidance for the practical application of high-pressure water jet collision prevention technology and is of great significance for improving the safety of waterway transportation.

Effectiveness of speed cameras on the prevention of road traffic collisions and casualties in cameroon

Issues related to transport collision and casualties cannot be undermined as it has direct effect on human health and death, hence relevant policies are required to reduce road traffic accidents. To do this, our study has as objectives: to discuss the drivers of the used of speed cameras by drivers in Cameroon., investigate the effects of speed cameras on the prevention of road traffic collisions and casualties in Cameroon and to determine the actual problems faced by drivers in the use of speed Cameras in Cameroon. Methodologically, the study applied the probit technique to estimate the result via primary data. The sample size consisted of 200 drivers collected through a well-structured questionnaire and collect among the drivers plying the Yaoundé-Doula, Douala –Bafoussam and Bafousam-Yaoundé major highway. The key findings revealed that the factors influencing the drivers used of speed cameras are: main occupation, attainment of higher education, married, age, victim of traffic collision and casualties. The result also shows that Speed camera is highly corroborating with the prevention of road traffic collisions and casualties in Cameroon. Finally, the result shows that the lack of awareness, student speed change, inadequate signage, limited visibility, technical limitations and privacy concerns are the actual physical challenges of the use of speed camera in Cameroon. The study suggests that decision makers in the transport sector should multiply the provision of speed cameras. This is a wise step in the prevention of road traffic collisions and casualties in Cameroon and better labour market.

Main directions for improvement of navigation safety through prevention of ship collisions

The article is devoted to the study of the main directions of improving the safety of navigation by preventing ship collisions. The modern development of global shipping is characterized by an increase in the intensity of maritime transportation, which significantly increases the risks of emergencies, in particular ship collisions. These incidents are one of the main causes of maritime accidents, resulting in significant economic losses, environmental damage and risk to human life. The article analyzes various aspects of improving safety of navigation, including the use of modern technologies, organizational measures, crew training and efficient ship maintenance. The focus is on the following areas: technical support, organizational measures, education and training for the crew, communication systems and international coordination, as well as ensuring the technical serviceability of ships. Radar systems allowing to detect and track ships at different distances, which is critical in difficult weather conditions. Another important aspect is crew training. Regular professional education, training, and simulation training help crews adapt to new technologies and respond effectively to dangerous situations. An effective communication system and international coordination are critical for rapid response to emergencies. Emergency communication systems ensure rapid exchange of information between ships and coastal services, and international cooperation contributes to increased preparedness and coordination. Ensuring the technical serviceability of ships through regular inspections and technical surveys is the basis for safe navigation, allowing to identify and eliminate potential problems. The article emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive approach to improving shipping safety, including the integration of advanced technologies, organizational processes, training and maintenance. This approach helps to reduce the risk of ship collisions and improve overall safety at sea

A haptic guidance system for simulated catheter navigation with different kinaesthetic feedback profiles.

This paper proposes a haptic guidance system to improve catheter navigation within a simulated environment. Three force profiles were constructed to evaluate the system: collision prevention; centreline navigation; and a novel force profile of reinforcement learning (RL). All force profiles were evaluated from the left common iliac to the right atrium. Our findings show that providing haptic feedback improved surgical safety compared to visual-only feedback. If staying inside the vasculature is the priority, RL provides the safest option. It is also shown that the performance of each force profile varies in different anatomical regions. The implications of these findings are significant, as they hold the potential to improve how and when haptic feedback is applied for cardiovascular intervention.

High-Accuracy and Fast Calculation Framework for Berthing Collision Force of Docks Based on Surrogate Models

The accurate prediction of the collision force magnitude resulting from ship berthing on docks is crucial for the rationality and safety of dock structural design. This paper presents a novel framework for the calculation of berthing collision force for ships (CBCF), which integrates field data, finite element models, and surrogate models. Based on field data and finite element analysis, the framework constructs and compares four surrogate models with low sample requirements, ultimately selecting the optimal surrogate model for predicting collision force. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis of the parameters is conducted based on the selected model, followed by a comparison with the various methods used for collision force prediction. The results illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed framework in replacing finite element models for the rapid and accurate prediction of collision force. Comparison with existing methods also underscores the advantages of the proposed framework, including low sample requirements, high calculation accuracy, and exceptional efficiency. In summary, this study not only introduces a novel and precise surrogate model framework for the swift prediction of berthing collision force, but it also offers valuable insights into the prevention of ship collision with wharf accidents and facilitates the rational and safe design of wharf structures.

Evaluating the impact of bird collision prevention glazing patterns on window views

Optimal design of bird collisions prevention glazing patterns is pivotal in the protection of avian ecology and provision of quality window views for building occupants. However, a research gap currently exists regarding the impact of different pattern designs on the quality of window views. Therefore, this study evaluates the influence of various bird collision prevention pattern designs on window view clarity. A total of 18 patterns, including dot matrix, vertical stripes, and horizontal stripes, were designed and evaluated. The patterns had varying combinations of coverage rates and spacing ratios. Sixty participants were recruited to participate in an experimental survey using virtual reality (VR) technology. They were asked to rate the level of clarity of window views observed through different glazing pattern designs. The results indicated that the bird collision prevention glazing pattern designs significantly influenced occupants’ perception of visual clarity. Designs featuring horizontal and vertical stripes attained higher visual clarity ratings compared to the dot matrix pattern. Additionally, visual clarity significantly decreased with increasing coverage rates and designs with larger spacing ratios were associated with higher clarity than smaller spacing ratios. Most participants were willing to sacrifice window view quality in order to minimize bird fatalities. These findings can guide the development of window view evaluation criteria in existing green building standards, by accounting for the trade-off between avian conservation and window view clarity.

Incorporation of a global perspective into data-driven analysis of maritime collision accident risk

Ship collision accidents are one of the most frequent accident types in global maritime transportation. Nevertheless, conducting an in-depth analysis of collision prevention poses a formidable challenge due to the constraints of limited Risk Influential Factors (RIFs) and available datasets. This paper aims to incorporate a global perspective into a new data-driven risk model, scrutinize the root causes of collision accidents, and advance measures for their mitigation. Additionally, it seeks to analyze the spatial distribution and conduct a comprehensive comparative study on collision characteristics for both pre- and post-COVID-19, utilizing the real accident dataset collected from two reputable organizations: Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS) and Lloyd's Register Fairplay (LRF). The research findings and implications encompass several crucial aspects: 1) the constructed model demonstrates its reliability and accuracy in predicting collision accidents, as evident from its prediction performance and various scenario analysis; 2) the most hazardous voyage segment for collision accidents is identified to provide valuable guidance to different stakeholders; and 3) the hierarchical significance of various ship types in the context of collision accident is highlighted regarding the most probable scenario for collision occurrences; 4) During the pandemic, the rise in collision probabilities, particularly involving older vessels and bulk carriers, implies heightened operational challenges or maintenance issues for these ship types; (5) The prominence of favorable and adverse sea conditions in collision reports underscores the significant influence of weather on accidents during the pandemic. These findings and implications help enhance safety protocols, ultimately reducing the frequency of collision accidents in the global maritime domain.

Effectiveness of smart LED strips at mid-block crosswalks under distracted driving conditions

We investigated the effectiveness of an LED-based smart mid-block crosswalk system in mitigating the detrimental effects of driver engagement in non-driving-related tasks (NDRTs) with behavioural, performance, and subjective measurements. We designed a 2 (Crosswalk: smart vs conventional) by 2 (Task complexity: low vs. high NDRT) within-subjects experiment. Thirty-six drivers drove along four urban scenarios in a static driving simulator. We collected data on driving behaviour (speed, reaction distance), and safety (minimum time-to-collision [MTTC]), as well as subjective driver ratings on the perceived task load and their trust in the technology used, and performance levels achieved while performing the NDRTs.Behavioural and performance observations showed that the smart mid-block crosswalk resulted in greater reaction distances and MTTC values when drivers interacted with pedestrians, thus indicating improved safety. Remarkably, the results also revealed that increased NDRT complexity does not negatively affect the smart crosswalk effectiveness in terms of driver-pedestrian collision prevention (i.e., MTTC does not decrease significantly). However, the NDRT complexity influenced driving performance in terms of speed and reaction distance at brake pedal pressure, with drivers exhibiting lower speeds and lower reaction distances with higher task loads. Moreover, the subjective ratings and performance levels while performing a NDRT reflected the experimental manipulation, with drivers perceiving higher task loads and performing worse in the higher NDRT complexity condition. Overall, the smart mid-block crosswalk led to a safer driver-pedestrian interaction compared to conventional crosswalks and achieved a good acceptance level both of which augur well for the widespread future installation of this technology.

Comprehensive Investigation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs): An In-Depth Analysis of Avionics Systems.

The evolving technologies regarding Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have led to their extended applicability in diverse domains, including surveillance, commerce, military, and smart electric grid monitoring. Modern UAV avionics enable precise aircraft operations through autonomous navigation, obstacle identification, and collision prevention. The structures of avionics are generally complex, and thorough hierarchies and intricate connections exist in between. For a comprehensive understanding of a UAV design, this paper aims to assess and critically review the purpose-classified electronics hardware inside UAVs, each with the corresponding performance metrics thoroughly analyzed. This review includes an exploration of different algorithms used for data processing, flight control, surveillance, navigation, protection, and communication. Consequently, this paper enriches the knowledge base of UAVs, offering an informative background on various UAV design processes, particularly those related to electric smart grid applications. As a future work recommendation, an actual relevant project is openly discussed.

Problems of management of large density groups of UAVs

The use of large dense groups of UAVs in solving economic and military problems is increasingly used. When solving these problems, it is necessary to form managements that ensure: assemble the group with the construction of the required topology; management of each UAV in the framework of solving a common problem and preventing collisions in a group. The solution of these problems can be obtained on the basis of two approaches. The first – the traditional one – is based on the consideration of the UAV group as an aggregate of individual participants, for each of which management is formed, providing both the solution of the common task and the prevention of collisions within the group. The second – fundamentally new – is based on the consideration of a group of UAVs as a system with distributed parameters. Preliminary studies have shown the possibility of using this approach to solving the problem of managing large groups of UAVs. However, to determine all the possibilities of this approach, additional theoretical and applied research is required.

Topological awareness towards collision-free multi-axis curved layer additive manufacturing

We present a topology-aware computational framework that enables global collision-free and support-structure-free material extrusion for curved layer multi-axis printing of a range of high-genus and simply connected models. The nature of multi-axis additive manufacturing facilitates continuous variation of build direction, which paves the way for numerous approaches of geometry-based curved layer design. However, due to unawareness of global topological features, prevention of collision between the printer nozzle and the workpiece can either remain uncertain or demand for exhaustive algorithmic approaches, depending on the topological and geometrical complexity of a given mesh model. In this paper, we present a topological analysis framework that draws inspiration from the concepts of Reeb graph and Morse theory, to distinguish between collision-prone and collision-free regions of mesh models. We provide an exact definition for global collision-inducing features in regions of risk and optimise the nozzle orientation vector field to avoid global collisions whilst adhering to the overhang angle constraints. A new shape analysis method is then proposed to find the model orientation which maximises the manufacturability of bifurcating simply connected models. To validate our algorithmic framework, several high-genus and bifurcating simply connected models are printed using a robotic multi-axis printer. The experimental results demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of our framework for minimising global collisions in multi-axis curved layer additive manufacturing for a range of mesh models.

A Review on Sensor Technologies and Control Methods for Mobile Robot with Obstacle Detection System

Obstacle detection system is a system that reacts to the object in the path and perform action such as stopping robot movement and collision prevention according to the design of algorithm which enhance the safety level of robot. This paper examines the overview of sensor technology that associates with obstacle detection system and car-like robot. This review summarizes the effectiveness and weakness of common type of sensors such as lidar, radar, ultrasonic sensor, infrared sensor, computer vision, sensor fusion and sensor array. This paper will also discuss on control methods for car-like robot that includes hand gestures, voice control, infrared remote control, Android based Bluetooth mobile control, and Wi-Fi based mobile control, outlining the effectiveness and limitation of each control method.

Weather event characterization: a catalyst for improved spatial mapping and benefit quantification in winter road maintenance

Monitoring winter road surface conditions (RSC) is essential for optimizing winter road maintenance operations and ensuring public traffic safety and mobility. However, many existing RSC estimation methods focus primarily on local or site-specific conditions, thus lacking effectiveness in comprehensive spatial mapping under varying winter weather events. Additionally, the potential financial benefits these methods could provide to maintenance authorities remain largely unexplored. This study addresses these gaps by introducing a refined methodology that harnesses the K-Means algorithm to characterize various weather events – a significant stride towards improving the generalizability and accuracy of road surface temperature (RST) estimations. The study also incorporates regression kriging (RK), a renowned geostatistical technique, as an integral component of a system for constructing an extensive spatial map of RSC across large highway networks. This strategy maximizes the use of data from existing road weather information systems (RWIS) to bridge their large spatial gaps. This study further quantifies the potential savings derived from optimally placing RWIS stations and reducing traffic collisions. The efficacy of these methods is validated through a real-world case study on two major interstate highways in Iowa, US, with RST estimation discrepancies as low as 0.619 °C. The findings also indicate potential cost savings by conserving up to 10 RWIS stations, which can be further translated into monetary savings of RWIS capital costs, traffic collisions prevention, enhanced traffic mobility and savings in maintenance material usage.

Structural response and mechanical properties of the hind wing of the beetle Protaetia brevitarsis.

The folding/unfolding mechanism and collision recovery effect of the beetle's hind wings can provide biomimetic inspiration for the optimization of wing deplorability and the investigation of collision prevention recovery mechanism of new amphibious morphing vehicle. In this study, a method is described to investigate the structural response and mechanical properties of the hind wings of the beetle Protetia brevitarsis under natural conditions. The specially processed test samples were conducted to tensile testing, which facilitates the evaluation of the mechanical properties of specific areas of the hind wing. The micro geometric morphological characteristics of the cross-section of the specimen after tensile fracture were observed by scanning electron microscopy. The three-dimensional morphology of the ventral and dorsal sides of the hind wing was characterized using three-dimensional scanning and reverse modeling methods. The finite element model of the hind wing is developed to investigate the structural deformation and modal response characteristics of its flapping. The uniformly distributed load on the hind wing surface is derived from the lift characteristics obtained from the computational fluid dynamics simulation of flapping wing motion. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Scanning electron microscope is used to observe the cross-sectional characteristics of the veins and membranes. The material properties of the wing membranes and veins of the hind wings were measured using the tensile testing system. The three-dimensional morphology of the hind wing was characterized using 3D scanning and reverse modeling methods. The finite element model of the hind wing is developed to investigate the structural deformation and modal response characteristics of its flapping.

디지털 트윈 기술로 협동 로봇의 고장 또는 결합 원인을 효율적으로 파악하는 시스템에 대한 연구

As the coexistence of humans and robots has increased since the start of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, this study proposes a platform for processing and analyzing data to efficiently address the causes and prevention of robot collisions at industrial sites. The platform facilitates easy and convenient data processing and analysis, allowing users to quickly identify the causes of collisions between collaborative robots as well as control equipment failures or defects. Utilizing data, the platform also enables the remote operation of equipment in virtual spaces, making it effective for communication and remote technical support in the manufacturing industry.

Bridge Duty On A Ship: Study On Preventing Collisions At Sea On The Training Ship John Lie

The knowledge and skills of a ship's crew can play a key role in preventing collisions. The Bridge Watchkeeping Duty becomes crucial in this context, as they are the first to detect potential threats. Given the increasing risks in maritime transportation and the need to prevent ship collisions, several steps can be taken. One of them is to effectively carry out the tasks and functions of the Bridge Watchkeeping Duty. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the Bridge Watchkeeping Duty, specifically, the efforts to prevent sea collisions conducted by the Ship's Bridge Watchkeeping Service, and how its theoretical and practical implementation is carried out in the field. This qualitative study uses a descriptive method to describe and elaborate on the study object, namely the John Lie training ship. The study will include quotations from various data sources such as interviews, field notes, memos, and other official documents. Data analysis in this study uses the techniques of Miles and Huberman. The results of this study indicate that the implementation of these duties and responsibilities must always be based on a deep understanding of various national and international maritime regulations, as well as knowledge of the characteristics of the ship and its surrounding environment. Additionally, implementing regulations such as the 2010 Manila Amendments to the STCW 2010 is also important to ensure the welfare and fitness of the watchkeepers so they can perform their duties and responsibilities optimally. This study has several limitations, such as variables that need to be explored further, such as the psychological aspects of bridge watchkeepers who bear a heavy workload, extreme sea weather conditions, and ship facilities that support collision prevention activities. Thus, this study is expected to provide constructive thoughts and suggestions for maritime transportation stakeholders, particularly sailors and crew members, regarding the importance of properly implementing the Bridge Watchkeeping Duty. Focus on the human aspect in preventing ship collisions at sea through the Ship's Bridge Watchkeeping Service.