Hardware Evaluation Of Heavy Truck Side And Rear Object Detection Systems

007867471995PDFTech ReportHeavy duty trucksIn vehicle sensorsCrash avoidance systemsDriver support systemsElectronics-based object detection systemsUnited StatesUnited States. Joint Program Office for Intelligent Transportation SystemsGarrott, W. RileyFlick, Mark A.Marzae, Elizabeth N.Vehicle Research and Test Center (U.S.)Transportation Research CenterNTL-FREIGHT-Trucking IndustryNTL-SAFETY AND SECURITY-Human FactorsNTL-SAFETY AND SECURITY-Vehicle DesignUS Transportation CollectionThis paper focuses on two types of electronics-based object detection systems for heavy truck applications: those sensing the presence of objects to the rear of the vehicle (referred to as Rear Object Detection Systems, or RODS) and those sensing the presence of objects on the right side of the vehicle (referred to as Side Object Detection Sensors, or SODS). The rearward sensing systems are intended to aid drivers when backing their vehicles, typically at very low ?crawl? speeds. Six rear object detection systems that were commercially available at the time that this study was initiated were evaluated. The right side looking systems are intended primarily as supplements to side view mirror systems and as an aid for detecting the presence of adjacent vehicles when making lane changes or merging maneuvers. Four side systems, two commercially available systems and two prototypes, were evaluated. Three types of evaluation were performed for both the rear and right side object detection systems including hardware performance measurement, a human factors assessment of driver/system interfaces, and an assessment of driver subjective reactions to two systems. The results of these tests and evaluations indicate that object detection system technology is still in the early stages of its development. Drivers of heavy trucks appreciate the value of these aids, but improvements in the technology are needed before the full potential of these systems for preventing crashes can be realized. Manufacturers should focus on improving system reliability and sensor performance and the human factors aspects of the control and display interface. Figures, tables, 25 p.83