System for accommodating a pedestrian during autonomous vehicle operation

1. A method of controlling a vehicle comprising:

detecting an object proximate to a vehicle with at least one sensor;

analyzing data from the at least one sensor with a controller to determine when the object detected is a pedestrian proximate to the vehicle;

determining a maximum separation distance from the pedestrian while maintaining the vehicle within a current lane of travel;

determining a maximum safe speed for the vehicle to pass the pedestrian based upon the maximum separation distance available;

performing a pedestrian safety zone maintenance maneuver comprising adjusting a lateral position of the vehicle to the maximum separation distance prior to application of a vehicle brake followed by slowing the vehicle to the maximum safe speed for the maximum separation distance possible while maintaining the vehicle within the current lane of travel when a speed of the vehicle is above the maximum safe speed of the vehicle while the vehicle is passing the pedestrian.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising steering and accelerating the vehicle to return the vehicle to a previous lateral location within the current lane of travel and the vehicle speed prior to the pedestrian avoidance maneuver.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining a maximum separation distance from the pedestrian further includes determining a minimum safe distance from the vehicle from any traffic in an adjacent lane.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the minimum safe distance from a vehicle in an adjacent lane is increased when the adjacent lane is an oncoming traffic lane.

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the minimum safe distance is increased when traffic is detected in the adjacent traffic lane.

6. The method of claim 1 , including determining a possible path of the pedestrian and determining at least one of the maximum separation distance from the pedestrian and maximum safe speed based in part on the determined possible path of the pedestrian.

7. A collision avoidance system for a vehicle comprising:

an electronic brake system capable of applying wheel brakes to decelerate the vehicle;

a steering system capable of changing a steering angle for the vehicle; and

a controller including instructions for:

detecting an object proximate to a vehicle with at least one sensor;

analyzing data from the at least one sensor with a controller to determine when the object detected is a pedestrian proximate to the vehicle;

determining a maximum separation distance from the pedestrian while maintaining the vehicle within a current lane of travel;

determining a maximum safe speed for the vehicle to pass the pedestrian based upon the maximum separation distance available; and

performing a pedestrian avoidance maneuver including adjusting a lateral position of the vehicle to the maximum separation distance followed by slowing the vehicle to the maximum safe speed corresponding to the maximum separation distance possible while maintaining the vehicle within the current lane of travel when a speed of the vehicle is above the maximum safe speed of the vehicle while the vehicle is passing the pedestrian.

8. The vehicle of claim 7 , wherein the controller further includes instructions for: steering and accelerating the vehicle to return the vehicle to a previous lateral location within the current lane of travel and the vehicle speed prior to the pedestrian avoidance maneuver.

9. The vehicle of claim 7 , wherein determining the maximum separation distance from the pedestrian further includes determining a minimum safe distance from the vehicle from any traffic in an adjacent lane.

10. The vehicle of claim 9 , wherein the minimum safe distance from vehicles in an adjacent lane is increased when the adjacent lane is an oncoming traffic lane.

11. The vehicle of claim 9 , wherein the minimum safe distance is increased when traffic is detected in the adjacent traffic lane.

12. An autonomous vehicle control system comprising:

an electronic brake system capable of applying wheel brakes to decelerate the vehicle;

a steering system capable of changing a steering angle for the vehicle; and

a controller including instructions for:

detecting an object proximate to a vehicle with at least one sensor;

analyzing data from the at least one sensor with a controller to determine when the object detected is a pedestrian proximate to the vehicle;

determining a maximum separation distance from the pedestrian while maintaining the vehicle within a current lane of travel;

determining a maximum safe speed for the vehicle to pass the pedestrian based upon the maximum separation distance available; and

performing a pedestrian avoidance maneuver including adjusting a lateral position of the vehicle to the maximum separation distance followed by slowing the vehicle to the maximum safe speed while maintaining the vehicle within the current lane of travel when a speed of the vehicle is above the maximum safe speed of the vehicle while the vehicle is passing the pedestrian.

13. The vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the controller further includes instructions for: steering and accelerating the vehicle to return the vehicle to a previous lateral location within the current lane of travel and the vehicle speed prior to the pedestrian avoidance maneuver.

14. The vehicle of claim 12 , wherein determining the maximum separation distance from the pedestrian further includes determining a minimum safe distance from the vehicle from any traffic in an adjacent lane.

15. The vehicle of claim 14 , wherein the minimum safe distance from a vehicle in an adjacent lane is increased when the adjacent lane is an oncoming traffic lane.

16. The vehicle of claim 14 , wherein the minimum safe distance is increased when traffic is detected in the adjacent traffic lane.