Blind spots created by the driver-side B-pillar impair the ability of the driver
to assess their surroundings accurately, significantly contributing to the
frequency and severity of vehicular accidents. Vehicle manufacturers cannot
readily eliminate the B-pillar due to regulatory guidelines intended to protect
vehicular occupants in the event of side collisions and rollover incidents.
Furthermore, assistance implements utilized to counteract the adverse effects of
blind spots remain ineffective due to technological limitations and optical
impediments.
This paper introduces mechanisms to quantify the obstruction caused by the
B-pillar when the head of the driver is facing forward and turning 90°, typical
of an over-the-shoulder blind spot check. It uses the metrics developed to
demonstrate the relationship between B-pillar width and the obstruction angle.
The paper then creates a methodology to determine the movement required of the
driver to eliminate blind spots. Ultimately, this paper proposes a solution, the
Blind Spot Eliminator, and demonstrates that it successfully decreases both the
obstruction angle and, consequently, the required driver movement. The Blind
Spot Eliminator is a lens on the rear-most section of the left driver’s side
window that utilizes refraction to display objects in the surrounding areas. A
prototype of the Blind Spot Eliminator was constructed and experimented with
using a mannequin to model human vision in a typical passenger vehicle. The
results of this experiment illustrated a substantial improvement in viewing
ability, as predicted by earlier calculations. This paper concludes that the
proposed Blind Spot Eliminator has excellent potential to improve driver safety
and reduce vehicular accidents.