The Automated Highway System (AHS)

andThe Intelligent Vehicle Initiative

(IVI)

AHS – The Vision

AHS – The Vision

• Removal of human error from the task of driving– Efficiency improvements (increased flow)– Safety improvements (decreased accidents)– Environmental improvements (decreased fuel

use and emissions)

AHS – The Vision (California Style)

• Dedicated AHS lanes

• Cars following in closely spaced platoons

• Automated merging / diverging

• Increased lane capacity x 2

AHS – The Vision

• HOW?– Technology to allow removal of reaction time

and distance– Decrease in following distance = increase in

capacity– Safety maintained by technology

• Internal platoons = low speed differential crashes• Space between platoons = decrease in severity of

crash between platoons

AHS Platooning Concept

AHS Lane

Regular Lane

AHS – The Technology

• Automated Check-in

• Automated Check-out

• Lateral and Longitudinal Controls

• Malfunction Management and Analysis

• Commercial (& transit) Vehicle Needs

• Deployment Issues

San Diego Tests

• Mandated by Congress

• Took place in San Diego in 1997 on a barrier separated HOV lane

• Systems built by Automated Highway Systems Consortium – A partnership between government /

universities / car companies

San Diego Test

• Results– AHS is feasible– AHS is not currently practical– Various AHS technologies are marketable– AHS technologies have significant positive

safety implications

Intelligent Vehicle Initiative

• The result of the AHS Findings

• Very heavy safety orientation

• Use new technology on roadside and in vehicles to make roadways safer

                                                                                           

                        

      

                    

             

                                                                                           

                        

      

                    

             

                                                                                           

                        

      

                    

             

                                                                                           

                        

      

                    

             

                                                                                           

                        

      

                    

             

                                                                                           

                        

      

                    

             

                                                                                           

                        

      

                    

             

                                                                                           

                        

      

                    

             

                                                                                           

                        

      

                    

             

                                                                                           

                        

      

                    

             

IVI Technologies

• Currently on the market– ABS (Anti-lock braking systems)– Night vision systems– GPS– Adaptive cruise control – Front end collision warning systems– Automated mayday systems

IVI Technologies

• Future Systems (under active development)– In-vehicle signing of

• Dangerous conditions

• Approaching emergency vehicle

– Side collision avoidance systems– Rear object warning systems– Lane departure warning systems

IVI Technologies

• Future Technologies (continued)

– Remote control vehicles• Snow plows

• “Guard” vehicles for maintenance (unmanned crash attenuator vehicles)

• Multi-vehicle “trains” (1 driver, multiple vehicles) for commercial trucks on barrier separated roads

IVI Technologies

• Future Technologies (continued)– Drowsy driver recognition– Intoxication detection– Automated steering control– Automated collision avoidance

• Lane following

• Obstacle recognition

• Intersection collision warning systems

IVI Technologies

• Human factors is a big deal– Do people trust the technology– Will people over-compensate for the

technology (or misunderstand its capabilities)• ABS

• 4-wheel drive in the snow

IVI Technology

• Deployment is a big issue– Public infrastructure versus private system

• Chicken and egg problem