Virtual Test Design and Automated Analysis of Lane Keeping Assistance Systems in Accordance with Euro NCAP Test Protocols

This paper outlines the procedure used to assess the performance of a Lane Keeping Assistance System (LKAS) in a virtual test environment using the newly developed Euro NCAP Lane Support Systems (LSS) Test Protocol, version 1.0, November 2015 [1]. A tool has also been developed to automate the testing and analysis of this test. The Euro NCAP LSS Test defines ten test paths for left lane departures and ten for right lane departures that must be followed by the vehicle before the LKAS activates. Each path must be followed to within a specific tolerance. The vehicle control inputs required to follow the test path are calculated. These tests are then run concurrently in the virtual environment by combining two different software packages. Important vehicle variables are recorded and processed, and a pass/fail status is assigned to each test based on these values automatically. Any vehicle with a LKAS, and a validated parameter set can therefore be tested and analysed automatically using this testing tool. Automated testing and analysis of a LKAS ensures reduced testing time, and increased system robustness. This testing tool can also be used for testing Lane Departure Warning (LDW) systems. The development of this testing tool may be used as a template for the development of testing tools for different Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).