A Collision-Avoidance Warning System Using Laser Radar

The serious highway accidents related to heavy-duty trucks were caused mainly by absent-minded conditions of drivers, according to an investigation of highway accidents in Japan. Thus, a collision avoidance warning system has been developed. A laser radar sensor detects the distance to a reflector of the target vehicle. Together with information of the own vehicle speed detected by a magnetic pick-up, a microcomputer assesses the risk of a rear-end collision and provides warning when a dangerous condition has developed. Warning suppresion is considered in unnecessary situations, such as driving in curves, driving at constant speed and distance, and driving at low speed. The system was installed on a heavy-duty truck, and a system evaluation test was carried out on proving grounds and highways. As the result, false alarms created by reflectable objects located adjacent to the road and unnecessary warning could be sufficiently suppressed, and the system was found to be useful.