Driver Maneuvers Research Articles

On-road prediction of driver's intent with multimodal sensory cues

By predicting a driver's maneuvers before they occur, a driver-assistance system can prepare for or avoid dangerous situations. This article describes a real-time, on-road lane-change-intent detector that can enhance driver safety.

Analysis of sudden natural deaths and traumatic deaths without avoidance maneuvers of vehicle drivers

Analysis of sudden natural deaths and traumatic deaths without avoidance maneuvers of vehicle drivers

Analysis of Driver Brake Operation In Near-Crash Situation Using Naturalistic Driving Data

ABSTRACT: A large scale of field-test investigation was conducted in Beijing using Video Drive Recorder (VDR) which could record image in fron t of the v ehicle. Fifty taxis equipped with VD R were used to collect data in real traffic environments for a whole year and a larg e volume of natur alistic driving data including crashes and n ear-crashes was collected. This paper analyzed the pre-event maneuvers of drivers and studied the characteristics of braking operations of Conflict-prone drivers. Then an ev aluation method was proposed to rate a driver’s accidents avoidance ability, and to evaluate the relationships between driver's brake behaviors and accident rates. The results showed that most evasive maneuvers were within 2s before the most dangerous state. By comparing the near-crashes with crashes recorded by the VDR regarding traffic accidents in Beijing, great similarities were found in accident type and occurrence time between them. According to 100 rear-end near-crashes, if the braking time of drivers were delayed by 0.2s, 17% of near-crashes would have been crashes; and if the braking forces were decreased by 0.1g, 33% of near-crashes would have been crashes.

Methodology for determining delineator placement and operation based on user satisfaction

Delineators are useful devices for ensuring safer driving maneuvers. Effective placement and operation of a delineator are essential to its impact on safe driver maneuvering and result in the prevention of traffic accidents. This study proposes a methodology for determining the parameters associated with optimum delineator placement and operation, which include the spacing, height and size of the delineator, from the perspective of user satisfaction. A binary logistic regression technique is adopted to incorporate user satisfaction into the methodology. The proposed model is capable of producing a probabilistic measure of user satisfaction with respect to various parameters. For example, based on the proposed methodology, the optimum delineator spacing should be 6.10-14.28 m to obtain 70% user satisfaction with a diameter of 100 mm. The outcomes of this study can serve as useful fundamentals for more effective placement and operation of delineators.

Improvement in vehicle agility and stability by G-Vectoring control

We extracted a trade-off strategy between longitudinal traction/braking force and cornering force by using jerk information through observing an expert driver's voluntary braking and turning action. Using the expert driver's strategy, we developed a new control concept, called ‘G-Vectoring control’, which is an automatic longitudinal acceleration control (No DYC) in accordance with the vehicle's lateral jerk caused by the driver's steering manoeuvres. With the control, the direction of synthetic acceleration (G) changes seamlessly (i.e. vectoring). The improvements in vehicle agility and stability were evaluated by theoretical analysis and through computer simulation. We then introduced a ‘G-Vectoring’ equipped test vehicle realised by brake-by-wire technology and executed a detailed examination on a test track. We have confirmed that the vehicle motion in view of both handling and ride quality has improved dramatically.

Combined Automatic Lane-Keeping and Driver's Steering Through a 2-DOF Control Strategy

In this paper, we address the problem of combining automatic lane-keeping and driver's steering for either obstacle avoidance or lane-change maneuvers for passing purposes or any other desired maneuvers, through a closed-loop control strategy. The automatic lane-keeping control loop is never opened, and no on/off switching strategy is used. During the driver's maneuver, the vehicle lateral dynamics are controlled by the driver himself through the vehicle steering system. When there is no driver's steering action, the vehicle center of gravity tracks the center of the traveling lane thanks to the automatic lane-keeping system. At the beginning (end) of the maneuver, the lane-keeping task is released (resumed) safely and smoothly. The performance of the proposed closed-loop structure is shown both by means of simulations and through experimental results obtained along Italian highways.

361235 DRIVER'S POSTURE MONITORING BY INFRARED LASER RANGING SENSOR(Condition Monitoring,Technical Session)

In Japan, some railway accidents happened recently which indicated that certain measures are required against driver abnormality for prevent these kind of accident anymore. This paper describes the detection method, which we thought over, of driver's unusual maneuver like hold out the driving handle. And describes the test result of detection concerning driver's behavior with the Infrared Laser Ranging Sensor system and some high performance sensors on a railway full-scale simulator.

304 旋回ロール時のドライバ操舵行動の解析(OS11-1生体機能計測、医療福祉とロボテックス1)

304 旋回ロール時のドライバ操舵行動の解析(OS11-1生体機能計測、医療福祉とロボテックス1)

Clinical Predictors of Older Driver Performance on a Standardized Road Test

Objectives. To determine the relationship between clinical variables (demographics, cognitive testing, comorbidities, and medications) and failing a standardized road test in older adults. Methods. Analysis of on-the road studies performed in optimal weather conditions, between January 1, 2005, and May 1, 2007. The standardized testing was held at the National Older Driver Research and Training Center (NODRTC), Florida, and included 127 adults aged 65 and older with current driver licenses, recruited by advertisement from the Gainesville, Florida, community. Measurements consist of demographics, self-reported medications and medical conditions, cognitive testing including Trail Making Part B, global rating score (pass/fail), and driver maneuver score (0–273, with 273 indicating perfect driving or zero errors). Results. A total of 127 older adults completed the protocol. Mean age was 74.8 years (SD = 6.3); 46.5% females. Mean time for Trail Making Part B was 114.3 seconds (SD of 83). Among the 127 drivers, the mean Sum of Maneuvers Score was 238.9 (SD of 25.0) and 24 (19%) failed the driver test. Odds ratio estimates for failing the test included advanced age (6.7, 95% CI 2.2 to 19.8), presence of a neurological disease (2.8, 95% CI 1.2 to 6.5), and prolonged time to complete the Trail Making Part B cognitive test (2.5, 95% CI 1.0 to 5.9). Conversely, odds ratio estimates lowering the risk of failure included taking a non-diabetic hormonal medications (e.g., thyroid and estrogen drugs; 0.3, 95% CI .09 to 0.7) and having a musculoskeletal diagnosis (0.3, 95% CI .1 to 0.7). Conclusions. To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the medical predictors of failing a standardized road test. Advanced age and prolonged time on Trail Making Part B were the two major predictors of test failure and a lower Sum of Maneuvers Score. Our study also found that having a neurological diagnosis (primarily cerebrovascular and Parkinson's disease) predicted test failure. Medications from neurological class also predicted a lower Sum of Maneuvers Score. Further study needs to be done to explain the apparent protective effect of musculoskeletal conditions and hormonal medications.

3911 ドライバ操舵行動特性に関する実車両走行実験(G18-2 交通物流(2),21世紀地球環境革命の機械工学:人・マイクロナノ・エネルギー・環境)

This paper is concerned with a quantitative classification based on driver characteristics of steering maneuvers. The evaluation indexes that can be used for quantifying differences of driver groups such as experimental driver or beginner driver are proposed. The experiment using actual car is performed in order to classify the driver's steering maneuvers. The crank course test and handling course test are performed in order to classify the driver's steering maneuvers. Experimental results show the difference of driver characteristics of steering maneuvers on various courses.

Mixed signals: stimulus‐response compatibility and car indicator light configuration

AbstractThe amber indicator lights on cars are designed to enable road users to efficiently predict the driver's next manoeuvre. Among other factors (e.g. luminance), the spatial configuration of these lights facilitates their interpretation (e.g. the right indicator flashes for right turns). However, several modern models of car confound this relationship by placing indicators medially relative to the headlights. Hence, the left indicator is placed to the right of the left headlight, for example. In two computer‐based experiments, the object‐based incompatibility that arises from this latter configuration resulted in slower, more erroneous responses to the indicated direction than for the standard configuration. These data act as a reminder to car designers that indicators, which are inherently a safety feature, should be designed with how fluently they can be processed by the human visual system in mind and not just for aesthetic appeal. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Effects of major-road vehicle speed and driver age and gender on left-turn gap acceptance

Because the driver's gap-acceptance maneuver is a complex and risky driving behavior, it is a highly concerned topic for traffic safety and operation. Previous studies have mainly focused on the driver's gap acceptance decision itself but did not pay attention to the maneuver process and driving behaviors. Using a driving simulator experiment for left-turn gap acceptance at a stop-controlled intersection, this study evaluated the effects of major traffic speed and driver age and gender on gap acceptance behaviors. The experiment results illustrate relationships among drivers’ left-turn gap decision, driver's acceleration rate, steering action, and the influence of the gap-acceptance maneuver on the vehicles in the major traffic stream. The experiment results identified an association between high crash risk and high traffic speed at stop-controlled intersections. The older drivers, especially older female drivers, displayed a conservative driving attitude as a compensation for reduced driving ability, but also showed to be the most vulnerable group for the relatively complex driving maneuvers.

3110 自動車の操舵特性を考慮したドライバ行動解析(ドライバ行動-2,OS4 ヒューマンインターフェース)

This paper is concerned with a quantitative classification based on driver characteristics of steering maneuvers. The evaluation indexes that can be used for quantifying differences of driver groups such as experimental driver or beginner driver are proposed. The slalom test is performed in order to classify the driver's steering maneuvers using the driving simulator that has 6 degrees of freedom motion base and turntable. Effectiveness of proposed evaluation indexes is confirmed in both shape and area at radar chart It is demonstrated in this investigation that the method can be effectively used for classify an important characteristics of driver's steering maneuvers. The proposed evaluation indexes are verified by experimental test with 24 subjects.

COMBINED AUTOMATIC LANE-KEEPING AND DRIVER'S MANEUVERS THROUGH A CLOSED LOOP CONTROL STRATEGY

In this paper we address the problem of combining automatic lane keeping and driver's steering for either obstacle avoidance or lane change maneuvers for passing purpose or any other desired maneuvers, through a closed loop control strategy. The automatic lane keeping control loop is never opened, and no on/off switching strategy is used. During the driver's maneuver, the vehicle lateral dynamics is controlled by the driver himself through the vehicle steering system. When there is no driver's steering action, the vehicle center of gravity tracks the center of the travelling lane thanks to the automatic lane keeping system. At the beginning (end) of the maneuver, the lane keeping task is released (resumed) safely and smoothly. The performance of the proposed closed loop structure is shown by means of simulations and through experimental results obtained along italian highways.

2203 車線追従走行時のヨー角支援制御における操舵反力設計(乗り心地・操舵性,OS3 交通・物流システムのダイナミクスと制御)

This paper is proposed that the concept of the sharing in the steering operation both assistance system and the driver, and assisting the yaw angle as a driver assistance system that cooperates with the driver. Active rear steering control, which the driver steers the front wheel and the rear steer assists the yaw angle, takes the effect of cooperation and the lane-keeping in precedence research. In order to raise lane keeping performance, the steering reaction torque is designed using the vehicle dynamics of lateral direction for the driver's maneuver, and to reduce the driver's workload. As a steering reaction torque which raise following characteristic of lateral deviation in the cross wind disturbance, it is proven that lateral car velocity can become effective information. It is proven to be more effective than the experiment by the steering reaction torque presentation for the improvement in the lane keeping characteristic.

A Study on Driver's Physiological Non-Intrusive Measurement in a Virtual Environment

For many studies with requirement of high realistic simulation, an immersive virtual environment is preferred. However, the data acquisition methods are usually intrusive in those studies and against the goal of high confidence reality. This paper introduces a smart wheel that is embedded with sensors to non-intrusively investigate a driver's physiological response in virtual environment based driving simulation. In the experiment, a driver's pulse wave is recorded in real-time without interfering the driver's maneuver. The experiment data clearly shows the patterns of the test driver's physiological response in different scenarios of virtual environment.

3207 ステアリングギヤ比と操舵トルクの変化に対するドライバ操舵挙動の解析(OS3-1 人間機械系シミュレーション,OS3 交通・物流システムのダイナミクスと制御,TRANSLOG 2006)

Recently, intelligent steering systems using the Electric Power Steering (EPS) system are developed. In order to improve driver's maneuver and vehicle response, steering gear ratio and steering reaction torque are very important issues. Therefore, various steering control systems are proposed. However, ideal characteristic between steering torque and steering angle is not clear. This study proposes the optimal character of steering system in lateral wind disturbance situation. The desirable steering characteristic is investigated in the relation of the steering gear ratio and the steering reaction torque for EPS. Evaluation index is proposed for each driver's performance and vehicle performance. Numerical simulations are conducted and the desirable value for the steering gear ratio and the reaction torque, which minimize by the evaluation, is obtained.

Lane Keeping Control System with Independent Wheel Torque Control of Micro Electric Vehicle

This paper examines the feasibility of Direct Yaw-moment Control (DYC) in the context of lane keeping system. The DYC, which is generated by differential traction force distribution, is designed with consideration of the road image information to assist the driver's steering maneuver for lane keeping task. Consequently, the controller is designed to regulate the lateral deviation based on the lane marker position acquired via CCD camera with on-board image processing system. The effectiveness of the proposed control system was verified by actual driving test with micro electric vehicle equipped with two independent in-wheel-motors for generating DYC.

Wind forces and aerodynamics: contributing factors to compromise bus and coach safety?

A bus in motion is affected by aerodynamical side and lift forces that may interfere with the stability of the vehicle. These forces depend on the speed and direction of the resulting wind in relation to the bus. Cross-wind gusts may generate side forces so suddenly that great directional deviation is imposed on the bus prior to any possible driver or vehicle manoeuvre responses. Prevailing friction forces may not be sufficient to enable the driver to avoid large lateral deviation from the desired route, and can potentially lead to crashes. The present study, based on ten bus crashes, aimed to show that the effect of wind, in addition to vehicle speed and road friction, is a contributing factor to compromising bus safety. The results of the study confirmed that wind, in relation to vehicle speed and friction, needs more attention when addressing the pre-crash factors in crash investigations, bus manoeuvring capacities, operational management, and the aerodynamic design of buses.

Investigation of Attitude Control Assistance System for Lane-Keeping Situation

Most of Lane-Keeping Assistance Systems are designed to regulate the lateral deviation of vehicle that may interfere the driver's maneuver in some cases resulting in deterioration of driver's workload. This paper proposes a new algorithm for the Lane-Keeping Assistant System by controlling of yaw angle of vehicle as called Attitude Control Assistance System or ACAS. The ACAS controls yaw angle of vehicle using two types of control inputs, steering torque and rear steering angle in this paper. The control system is designed and the system's effectiveness is evaluated based on experiment using driving simulator.