Citation

No Author(s) Listed. Res. Discl. 2006; (512): 1652-.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Kenneth Mason Publications)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Vehicle to vehicle wireless communication systems exchange GPS location and vehicle sensor information with neighboring vehicles. This information exchange enables many types of safety and commercial features. One application of this technology is to identify neighboring vehicle threats based on previous driving behavior. Information from neighboring vehicles is collected and compiled into metrics that characterize remote driver behavior and provide the driver of a local vehicle with an estimated level of threat. This information includes, but is not necessarily limited to, number of lane crossings without turn signal usage, tailgating (close following) incidents, detected horn activations, hard acceleration or braking events, aggressive steering activity, anti-lock braking or traction control events, instances in which the speed limit was exceeded, cell phone in-use and driver visibility impaired (e.g., foggy or icy windshield). Threat metrics are calculated by counting the number of discrete unsafe driving instances (e.g., a lane change that was not signaled), or by counting the number of times a threshold is exceeded for metrics that require a vehicle sensor measurement (e.g., the number of times vehicle deceleration exceeds 0.3 g's). When the instance count has exceeded alert thresholds, the driver of the local vehicle is issued an advisory or warning. Remote driver characterization information may be determined and stored locally on the local vehicle (i.e., local vehicles broadcast their own determined threat level), or alternatively, a local vehicle determines threat levels based on communicated data elements from other vehicles (i.e., local vehicles aggregate and process information from neighboring vehicles). Behavior information from neighboring vehicles may be collected from vehicles that are in direct communication, or additionally, from vehicles that are beyond direct broadcast range through a vehicle multi-hop network. Driver characterization information is accumulated over period of time, over a specified travel distance, over a single vehicle trip (from power-on to power-off) or for any combination of the above. Threat information to drivers of the local vehicle may be communicated in a number of different ways. A top-down or three-dimensional view of the region around the vehicle may be reproduced on a graphic display. A threat vehicle may be identified on this display as an icon that varies in color, jitters, blinks, or is displayed in a different size or shape. Alternatively, a text display may also be used to convey warning messages to the driver. Directional auditory or haptic cues may also be used to warn drivers of nearby threat vehicles.