Lane Change Conflict Analysis of Camera Based Side-View Systems 2024-26-0015

The recent progress in camera-based technologies has prompted the development of prototype camera-based video systems, intended to replace conventional passenger vehicle mirrors. Given that a significant number of collisions during lane changes stem from drivers being unaware of nearby vehicles, these camera-based systems offer the potential to enhance safety. By affording drivers a broader field of view, they facilitate the detection of potential conflicts. This project was focused on analyzing naturalistic driving data in support of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 111 regulatory endeavors. The goal was to assess the effectiveness and safety compatibility of prototype camera-based side-view systems as potential replacements for traditional side-view mirrors. The method employed involved extracting radar data from instances of lane changes conducted by 12 drivers for two pick-up trucks includes 10018 signal-indicated lane changes performed at speeds consistent with highway travel in a naturalistic driving study. Among these, 5029 lane changes were carried out using camera-based displays. The study delved into the influence of camera-based systems on lane change behavior, particularly examining lane change conflicts using time-to-collision data obtained from radar readings. The objective was to assess their impact on safety measures, such as vehicle detection, distance, closing speeds, and conflicts. These assessments spanned a range of conditions, including both daylight and nighttime operations. Upon analyzing the results, no compelling evidence emerged to indicate that the adoption of camera-based systems had a detrimental effect on lane change performance, leading to riskier lane changes in comparison to the traditional mirror systems.