Road hazard warning system

A hazard warning system for vehicles including hazard detection sensors and a primary transmitter for a primary vehicle configured to transmit information regarding a hazard and a path history of the primary vehicle. A secondary receiver for a secondary vehicle is configured to receive the information regarding the hazard detected by the hazard detection sensors, and the path history of the primary vehicle. A secondary vehicle control module is configured to notify a driver of the secondary vehicle of the hazard when the secondary vehicle is traveling along a path similar to that of the primary vehicle.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a road hazard warning system for vehicles.

BACKGROUND

Vehicles equipped with dedicated short range communication (DSRC) typically provide position information and basic status information. While typical DSRC systems are suitable for their intended use, they are subject to improvement, particularly for vehicle platoon applications in which multiple vehicles travel in a platoon behind a lead platoon vehicle. With current vehicle platoons, issues may arise where the lead vehicle must stop quickly, such as due to a hazard. In some instances, when the lead vehicle stops quickly it may be difficult for the following vehicles to stop in time. The present teachings address various issues with existing DSRC systems and vehicle platoon applications. For example, the present teachings advantageously provide advance warnings of hazards by way of DSRC to platoon vehicles, as well as non-platoon vehicles.

SUMMARY

The present teachings provide for a hazard warning system for vehicles. The system includes hazard detection sensors and a primary transmitter for a primary vehicle that are configured to transmit information regarding a hazard and path history of the primary vehicle. A secondary receiver for a secondary vehicle is configured to receive the information regarding the hazard detected by the hazard detection sensors, and the path history of the primary vehicle. A secondary vehicle control module is configured to notify a driver of the secondary vehicle of the hazard when the secondary vehicle is traveling along a path similar to that of the primary vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1illustrates a hazard warning system according to the present teachings generally at reference numeral10. The hazard warning system10is generally configured to warn drivers of vehicles that they are approaching a hazard so that the drivers can take appropriate action in view of the hazard. The hazard warning system10is configured for use with any suitable vehicles, such as passenger vehicles, mass transit vehicles, and commercial vehicles including trucks. The hazard warning system10can be used with any other suitable vehicles as well.

A primary vehicle12includes hazard detection sensors14. The hazard detection sensors14can be any suitable sensors configured to identify any suitable hazards. For example, the hazard detection sensors14can be configured to detect one or more of a vehicle collision, disabled vehicle, traffic, hazardous road conditions, etc. The hazard detection sensors14can be any suitable hazard detection sensors, and can include any one or more of radar, lidar, sonar, braking sensors, collision detection sensors, road condition sensors, traction sensors, etc.

FIG. 1illustrates an exemplary hazard in the form of a vehicle collision at reference numeral16. Reference numeral16is used herein to refer to a hazard generally, as well as to the collision ofFIG. 1, which according to the present teachings is an example of a hazard. When the hazard is, or includes, a vehicle collision16, the hazard can be identified in any suitable manner. For example, if the primary vehicle12is involved in the collision16, a collision detection sensor of the hazard detection sensors14will detect that the primary vehicle12is part of the collision16. If the primary vehicle12is not part of the collision16, the collision16can be detected in any other suitable manner. For example, if braking sensors of the primary vehicle12identify that the primary vehicle12has come to a stop, and the location of the stop is not at a stoplight or other standard location for a stop, the stop of the primary vehicle12can be considered to be due to a collision. The location of the stop of the primary vehicle12can be determined in any suitable manner, such as with GPS signals received by transmitter/receiver18and/or any other suitable signals received by the transmitter/receiver18, such as dedicated short range communication (DSRC) signals for example. If the transmitter/receiver18receives signals from a traffic signal30, and specifically from a DSRC transmitter32thereof, indicating that the traffic signal30is red, a control module20of the primary vehicle12can determine that the primary vehicle12has merely stopped in response to the traffic signal30.

The hazard detection sensors14can be configured to detect any other hazards as well. For example, traction sensors of the hazard detection sensors14may be configured to detect hazardous road conditions (e.g., slick road conditions, such as due to rain or ice, loose gravel, etc.). Radar, lidar, and/or sonar of the hazard detection sensors14may be configured to detect heavy traffic conditions and any obstacles, such as other vehicles, pedestrians, and other stationary structures. The transmitter/receiver18of the primary vehicle12is configured to receive notification of any hazards, such as transmissions from other vehicles, police, road commission alerts, and alerts from any other source.

In this application, the term “module” may be replaced with the term “circuit.” The term “module” may refer to, be part of, or include processor hardware (shared, dedicated, or group) that executes code and memory hardware (shared, dedicated, or group) that stores code executed by the processor hardware. The code is configured to provide the features of the modules, controllers, and systems described herein. The term memory hardware is a subset of the term computer-readable medium. The term computer-readable medium, as used herein, does not encompass transitory electrical or electromagnetic signals propagating through a medium (such as on a carrier wave). The term computer-readable medium is therefore considered tangible and non-transitory. Non-limiting examples of a non-transitory computer-readable medium are nonvolatile memory devices (such as a flash memory device, an erasable programmable read-only memory device, or a mask read-only memory device), volatile memory devices (such as a static random access memory device or a dynamic random access memory device), magnetic storage media (such as an analog or digital magnetic tape or a hard disk drive), and optical storage media (such as a CD, a DVD, or a Blu-ray Disc).

The control module20of the primary vehicle12is configured to process data gathered by the hazard detection sensors14, as well as transmissions (such as DSRC transmissions) and GPS signals received by the transmitter/receiver18, to identify the type and location of any detected hazards, such as the collision16illustrated. The control module20is further configured to monitor the path of the primary vehicle12, such as by way of GPS. The control module20is also configured to operate the transmitter/receiver18to transmit data regarding any detected hazards, such as the collision16, as well as historical path information and current location of the primary vehicle12, as well as any suitable operating parameters of the vehicle12, such as speed, heading, etc. The transmitter/receiver18transmits such information using any suitable transmission protocol, such as DSRC, for receipt by any suitable vehicle or roadside station.

A secondary vehicle50includes a transmitter/receiver52, which can be any suitable transmitter/receiver including a DSRC transmitter/receiver and a GPS receiver. The transmitter/receiver52is configured to receive data transmitted by the transmitter/receiver18of the primary vehicle12, which can include information regarding any hazard detected by the hazard detection sensors14, as well as path information of the primary vehicle12. Data received by the transmitter/receiver52is processed by control module54of the secondary vehicle50.

The control module54is configured to notify a driver of the secondary vehicle50of the hazard16detected by the hazard detection sensors14in any suitable manner, such as with any suitable audible alert and/or any suitable visual alert, such as a visual alert displayed on an instrument cluster, heads up display, and/or center counsel display of the secondary vehicle50. The control module54is also configured to determine if the secondary vehicle50is traveling along a path similar to that of the primary vehicle12. If the secondary vehicle50is traveling along a path similar or identical to the path traveled by the primary vehicle12, the secondary vehicle50is likely to encounter the same hazard16that the primary vehicle12encountered. The driver of the secondary vehicle50will thus have an early warning of the hazard16and be able to prepare for the hazard16.

For example, if the hazard16is ice, the driver of the secondary vehicle50will have extra time to reduce the speed of the secondary vehicle50. If the hazard16is heavy traffic, the driver of the secondary vehicle50may be able to use the information regarding the traffic to reroute the secondary vehicle50and avoid the traffic. If the hazard16is a collision, the driver of the secondary vehicle50will have extra time to stop the secondary vehicle50.

If the status information of the primary vehicle12received by the transmitter/receiver52of the secondary vehicle50indicates that the primary vehicle12has come to a stop due to the hazard16, such as when the hazard16is a collision blocking the path of the primary vehicle12, the control module54is configured to consider the stopped primary vehicle12to essentially be part of the hazard16, and calculate a minimum stopping distance of the secondary vehicle50relative to the primary vehicle12and/or the hazard16. The minimum stopping distance is based at least on the speed and weight of the secondary vehicle50, and advantageously informs the driver of the secondary vehicle50when the brakes of the secondary vehicle50must be engaged in order to bring the secondary vehicle50to a stop prior to reaching the primary vehicle12. The minimum stopping distance can be calculated to include a driver reaction time buffer that increases the minimum stopping distance any suitable amount to take into account reaction time of the driver.

The transmitter/receiver52of the secondary vehicle50can receive information regarding any hazard16detected by the hazard detection sensors14, operating parameters of the primary vehicle12, and path history of the primary vehicle12directly from the primary vehicle12, or by way of intermediate vehicle60. The intermediate vehicle60includes a transmitter/receiver62, which can be any suitable transmitter/receiver, including a DSRC transmitter/receiver and a GPS receiver. The transmitter/receiver62is configured to receive information transmitted from the transmitter/receiver18of the primary vehicle12regarding any hazard detected, as well as path history and operating parameters of the primary vehicle12. A control module64of the intermediate vehicle60is configured to retransmit such information using the transmitter/receiver62, as well as transmit operating parameters and path history of the intermediate vehicle60. Any suitable operating parameters of the vehicle60can be transmitted, such as speed, heading, path history, and intended route. Such transmissions from the intermediate vehicle60advantageously provide the secondary vehicle50, as well as any other surrounding vehicle, with an early warning of the hazard16, and effectively increasing the range of the transmitter/receiver18of the primary vehicle12.

Knowing the operating parameters and the path of the intermediate vehicle60also helps the driver of the secondary vehicle50take any action necessary in response to the intermediate vehicle60. For example, if the transmitted operating status of the intermediate vehicle60indicates that the intermediate vehicle60has stopped, such as due to the primary vehicle12having stopped at the hazard16, the control module54of the secondary vehicle50is configured to take the position of the intermediate vehicle60into account when calculating the minimum stopping distance for the secondary vehicle50. AlthoughFIG. 1illustrates only a single intermediate vehicle60, any suitable number of intermediate vehicles60can be present, and can be taken into account by the control module54when the intermediate vehicles include a DSRC transmitter/receiver and control module similar to that of the intermediate vehicle60.

The secondary vehicle50can be operated on its own, or as part of a vehicle platoon. For example, the secondary vehicle50can be a lead platoon vehicle followed by a following platoon vehicle70. The platoon of vehicles can include any suitable number of following vehicles, even thoughFIG. 1illustrates only a single following platoon vehicle70. As with standard vehicle platoons, the following platoon vehicle70follows the lead platoon vehicle50at a suitable distance. The following platoon vehicle70can be directly operated by the lead platoon vehicle50, or operated in a manner so as to mimic the operation of the lead platoon vehicle50, such as with respect to speed, heading, acceleration, and braking, for example.

The following platoon vehicle70includes any suitable transmitter/receiver72, such as any suitable DSRC and GPS transmitter/receiver72. The transmitter/receiver72is configured to receive information transmitted from the transmitter/receiver72of the lead platoon vehicle50regarding the hazard16, as well as operating parameters and path of the primary vehicle12, the secondary vehicle50, and any intermediate vehicle(s)60. Based on this information, a control module74of the following platoon vehicle70is configured to calculate a minimum stopping distance (which can include a driver reaction buffer) for the following platoon vehicle70relative to at least one of the lead platoon vehicle50, the hazard16, the primary vehicle12, and the intermediate vehicle60based on at least the weight and speed of the following platoon vehicle70. The control module74is configured to alert a driver of a following platoon vehicle70of such calculated minimum stopping distances, and alert the driver when any of the minimum stopping distances have been reached. The minimum stopping distances can include any suitable buffer to take into account reaction time of the driver. If the control module74determines that the following platoon vehicle70has reached its minimum stopping distance relative to at least one of the lead platoon vehicle50, the hazard16, the primary vehicle12, and the intermediate vehicle60, the control module74can alert the driver of the following platoon vehicle70and instruct the driver of the following platoon vehicle70to disengage from the platoon.

The transmitter/receiver72of the following platoon vehicle70can also be in receipt of basic safety messages (BSMs) transmitted by the transmitter/receiver52of the lead platoon vehicle50. For example, when the control module54of the lead platoon vehicle50determines that the lead platoon vehicle50has reached a minimum stopping distance with respect to any one or more of the hazard16, the primary vehicle12, and/or the intermediate vehicle60, the control module54of the lead platoon vehicle50is configured to generate an alert to the following platoon vehicle70(transmitted by the transmitter/receiver52and received by the transmitter/receiver72) instructing the driver of the following platoon vehicle70to disengage from the platoon. The BSM is received by the transmitter/receiver72and processed by the control module74, which generates the alert to the driver instructing the driver to disengage from the platoon.

With continued reference toFIG. 1and additional reference toFIG. 2, a method110of warning vehicles of hazards, such as by using the hazard warning system10for example, will now be described. With initial reference to block112, any suitable hazard, such as the collision16or any of the other exemplary hazards described by the present teachings, is detected by the hazard detection sensors14of the primary vehicle12. At block114, information regarding the hazard16and a path history of the primary vehicle12is transmitted by the DSRC transmitter/receiver18of the primary vehicle12. At block116, information regarding the hazard is received by the transmitter/receiver52of the secondary vehicle50. At block118, the control module54of the secondary vehicle50notifies the driver of the secondary vehicle50of the hazard when the secondary vehicle50is traveling along a path similar to that of the primary vehicle12.

At block120, the control module54calculates a minimum stopping distance, which includes any suitable driver reaction time buffer, of the secondary vehicle50relative to at least one of location of the hazard16and location of the primary vehicle12. At block122, the control module54notifies the driver of the secondary vehicle50, which as described above can be operated as either a lone vehicle or a lead platoon vehicle, when the secondary vehicle50has reached the minimum stopping distance. When the secondary vehicle50is the lead platoon vehicle, the control module54is configured to instruct the driver of the secondary vehicle50to disengage the platoon when the minimum stopping distance has been reached.

With reference to block124, the control module74of following platoon vehicle70is configured to instruct a driver of the following vehicle70to disengage from the platoon when the lead platoon vehicle50reaches a minimum stopping distance with respect to the hazard, the primary vehicle12, and/or the intermediate vehicle60. With reference to block126, the control module74of the following platoon vehicle70is configured to instruct the driver thereof to disengage from the vehicle platoon when the following platoon vehicle70reaches a minimum stopping distance with respect to the hazard16, the primary vehicle12, the intermediate vehicle60, and/or the lead platoon vehicle50.

FIG. 3illustrates a method150according to the present teachings including the intermediate vehicle60. With reference to block152, the control module64of the intermediate vehicle60is configured to relay information regarding the hazard and path history of the primary vehicle12to the secondary vehicle50by way of the DSRC transmitter/receiver62of the intermediate vehicle60. At block154, the control module64transmits, by way of the transmitter/receiver62, speed and location of the intermediate vehicle60to the transmitter/receiver52of the secondary vehicle50. With reference to block156, the control module54calculates a minimum stopping distance, including any suitable driver reaction buffer, for the secondary vehicle50relative to the intermediate vehicle60when the intermediate vehicle60is stopped. At block158, the control module54of the secondary vehicle50notifies the driver of the secondary vehicle50that the secondary vehicle50has reached the minimum stopping distance for the secondary vehicle50, and keeps the driver informed of the minimum stopping distance, so that the driver of the secondary vehicle50can take action to avoid the intermediate vehicle60.