Driver's judgment assistance system at signalized intersection by indicating evaluation indices on road ahead virtually

Abstract

This study examines the driver assistance system to judge whether a passage (GO) or a stop (NOGO) at a signalized intersection ahead. The assistance system indicates the evaluation indices on the road ahead virtually. The proposed assistance system informs a driver visually of the distance which the vehicle can traverse by maintaining the current velocity until the red signal onset using the signal information. If the remaining distance to the intersection is longer than the indicated distance, the system also indicates a stopping distance by assuming the ordinary deceleration. The driving simulator experiments are carried out to evaluate the proposed assistance system. The assistance system encourages the earlier deceleration before turning to the amber signal and prevents the emergency braking behavior or the risky passage through the intersection. In addition, the assistance system shortens drivers' reaction time to the emergency deceleration of the preceding vehicle compared with the onboard monitor indication in the own vehicle. Indicating evaluation indices on the road ahead virtually helps the driver to decelerate earlier and avoid the higher deceleration. These effects make it possible to suppress the collision risk to the preceding vehicle and contribute the safety driving.