SAFE-TO-PROCEED SYSTEM FOR AN AUTOMATED VEHICLE
A safe-to-proceed system for operating an automated vehicle proximate to an intersection includes an intersection-detector, a vehicle-detector, and a controller. The intersection-detector is suitable for use on a host-vehicle. The intersection-detector is used to determine when a host-vehicle is proximate to an intersection. The vehicle-detector is also suitable for use on the host-vehicle. The vehicle-detector is used to estimate a stopping-distance of an other-vehicle approaching the intersection. The controller is in communication with the intersection-detector and the vehicle-detector. The controller is configured to prevent the host-vehicle from entering the intersection when the stopping-distance indicates that the other-vehicle will enter the intersection before stopping.
1 . A safe-to-proceed system for operating an automated vehicle proximate to an intersection, said system comprising:
an intersection-detector suitable for use on a host-vehicle, said intersection-detector used to determine when a host-vehicle is proximate to an intersection;
a vehicle-detector suitable for use on the host-vehicle, said vehicle-detector used to estimate a stopping-distance of an other-vehicle approaching the intersection; and
a controller in communication with the intersection-detector and the vehicle-detector, said controller configured to prevent the host-vehicle from entering the intersection when the stopping-distance indicates that the other-vehicle will enter the intersection before stopping.
2 . The system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the intersection-detector includes one of a digital-map, a camera, a lidar-unit, and a radar-unit.
3 . The system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the host-vehicle is equipped with headlights and a horn, and the controller is configured to flash the headlights and activate the horn when the stopping-distance indicates that the other-vehicle will enter the intersection before stopping.
4 . The system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the system includes a transmitter used to transmit a warning-signal, and controller is configured activate the transmitter to transmit the warning-signal when the stopping-distance indicates that the other-vehicle will enter the intersection before stopping.