SMME,
University of Surrey,
Guildford, Surrey,
GU2 7XH, UK
Tel
(01483) 879681
Fax (01483) 306039
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The project will develop a system for detecting vulnerable road users and for making appropriate car management decisions to enable improved impact protection of those road users to be delivered. This is project is part of the 'Foresight Vehicle' initiative.
The UK and European governing bodies have raised concern about the rapid developments being made in vehicle safety from the point of view of protecting vehicle occupants and the distinct lack of associated advance in the protection of vulnerable road users. APVRU is supported by the Department of Trade and Industry and Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions as part of a wider campaign to look at ways of increasing the safety of all road users.
The project aims to determine the most appropriate sensor technologies for the detection of objects in the vehicle pathway and the classification of those objects to enable the appropriate action to be taken in the case of the vulnerable road user.
The objective will be to provide additional assistance to the driver rather than take over control of the vehicle. The system will be able to initiate actions faster than the driver would be able to react when a collision is unavoidable, thus reducing the chances of an impact and potentially reducing any resultant injury to vulnerable road users.
1st October 2000 - 30th September 2003
Then need for and benefits of a pedestrian detection system will be demonstrated through the analysis of accident data and human factors, which will be based upon previous research. This will form the first part of the project.
Although information from feeder projects suggests that a combination of Infrared and Microwave Radar sensors offers the most promising solution, a thorough review of available technologies is being carried out to ensure the best use is made of existing options.
A system will then be developed that models the road environment in real-time and can make appropriate decisions to aid the driver in protecting vulnerable road users. This will involve initiating deployment of external pedestrian protection devices (e.g. airbags), but it is not envisaged that it would take over steering or other control of the vehicle from the driver.
The project will provide a proven concept, by way of a demonstrator vehicle incorporating the system, which will enable the detection and appropriate decision making tasks associated with providing advanced protection of vulnerable road users.
The need for such a system will be quantified through the use of FE modelling, cost-benefit analysis and other means.
SHORSEN - Short Range Sensors. This project has a wider remit to look at sensors,
which may be useful in the range of 0 to 30m from the car to detect pedestrians,
other vulnerable road users, other traffic and road furniture. SHORSEN and APVRU
will exchange information in order to optimise the use of research work.
These pages are administered by Daniel Kerr
(d.kerr@surrey.ac.uk)
copyright and disclaimer notice.
Last change: December 2001
