DYNAMIC SPEED ADAPTATION IN ADVERSE CONDITIONS : A SYSTEM PROPOSAL

This research examines the potential design and use of an in-car system that would use adaptive speed controls to guide drivers' behavior under adverse conditions such as wet or slippery roads and poor visibility. The device would calculate the highest possible speed that the car can be operated at safely under given sets of conditions and control the vehicle appropriately. One survey showed that 60% of Swedish drivers would be accepting of such a system. One estimate shows that if all cars on Sweden's roads had the systems, the number of police-reported injury accidents would be reduced by between 19 and 34% when roads were wet or slippery. This estimate is considered conservative because it is based on average present speeds and maximum speeds allowable under the dynamic system, both of which understate the number of injuries avoided. Safety gains under conditions of reduced visibility are not possible to measure for lack of speed data under current operations. Researchers expressed the hope that the system would also reduce driver stress by reducing tailgating and pressure to speed when conditions were dangerous. It is important to avoid too much information for the driver and for the various safety systems to work synergistically. More research is needed on a number of topics, from driver efforts to work around the system, to liability and funding for further development of such devices.

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Features: Figures; References; Tables;
  • Pagination: p. 52-59
  • Serial:
    • IATSS Research
    • Volume: 26
    • Issue Number: 2
    • Publisher: International Association of Traffic and Safety Sciences
    • ISSN: 0386-1112

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00935246
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: UC Berkeley Transportation Library
  • Files: BTRIS, TRIS, ATRI
  • Created Date: Dec 31 2003 12:00AM