WO2015041594A1

WO2015041594A1 - Method and system for improved traffic safety when driving a vehicle in a safety- critical area

Info

Publication number: WO2015041594A1
Application number: PCT/SE2014/051076
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jon Andersson; André Claesson
Original assignee: Scania CV AB
Current assignee: Scania CV AB
Priority date: 2013-09-19
Filing date: 2014-09-18
Publication date: 2015-03-26
Anticipated expiration: 2016-03-19
Also published as: DE112014003708T5; SE537675C2; SE1351082A1

Abstract

The invention pertains to a method for improved traffic safety when driving a vehicle within a safety-critical area, comprising the steps of communicating (S1 ) information relating to the current traffic within the safety-critical area to the vehicle, and based on the thus communicated information ensuring (S2) that the driving of the vehicle, where required, is stopped or prevented. The present invention also pertains to a system for improved traffic safety when driving a vehicle. The present invention also pertains to a motor vehicle. The present invention also pertains to a computer program and a computer program product.

Description

Method and system for improved traffic safety when driving a vehicle in a safety- critical area

TECHNICAL FIELD The invention pertains to a method for improved traffic safety when driving a vehicle within a safety-critical area according to the preamble of claim 1 . The invention also pertains to a system for improved traffic safety when driving a vehicle within a safety critical area. The invention also pertains to a motor vehicle. The invention also pertains to a computer program and a computer program product.

BACKGROUND

Within safety-critical areas in the form of airport areas many vehicles move around, such as buses, catering transports, baggage transports, snowploughs, fire engines, etc.

If a vehicle in the airport area, e.g. a bus, should happen to cross the runway just as an aircraft arrives at high speed, this would probably entail a catastrophe, with substantial damage as a consequence.

US8019529 shows a system for avoiding collisions on runways. Information is sent to vehicle drivers, so that they may take measures.

US20090096636 shows a system which sends a warning signal to the driver of a vehicle approaching the runway. OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION

One objective of the present invention is to achieve a method and a system for improving traffic safety when driving a vehicle within a safety-critical area.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These and other objectives, which are set out in the description below, are achieved with a method, a system, a motor vehicle, a computer program and a computer program product of the type specified above, and which further have the features specified in the characterising portion of the appended independent claims. The preferred embodiments of the method and the system are defined in the attached dependent claims.

According to the invention, the objectives are achieved with a method for improved traffic safety when driving a vehicle within a safety-critical area, comprising the steps of communicating to the vehicle information relating to the current traffic within the safety-critical area, and, based on the thus communicated information, ensuring that the driving of the vehicle is stopped or is hindered if required. Thus traffic safety is improved within the safety- critical area, such as for example an airport. The communicated communication may accordingly comprise information about when and where aircraft will take off or land, in order thus to prevent collisions between aircraft and vehicles in the airport area.

According to one embodiment of the method, the safety-critical area represents an airport.

According to one embodiment, the method comprises the step of preventing the vehicle from being driven in a high risk area within said safety-critical area. Safety is thereby improved further. According to one version, the high risk area consists of a runway in an airport. According to one embodiment of the method, the step to ensure that the driving of the vehicle is stopped or prevented where required is carried out. Safety is thus further improved, since the driver does not need to take any action. Further, it prevents the vehicle from being driven unintentionally in a high risk area, such as a runway with aircraft taking off/landing, e.g. if the driver becomes ill and unconsciously drives the vehicle towards the high risk area, or from being driven intentionally into a high risk area, e.g. in the form of a driver who carries out a suicide attack or similar.

According to one embodiment, the method comprises the step of, based on the thus communicated information in case of a lack of requirement, ensuring that the vehicle is made to revert to unhindered driving. Thus, efficient driving of vehicles within the safety-critical area is facilitated without unnecessary stops, and without compromising traffic safety.

According to the invention, the objectives are achieved with a system for improved traffic safety when driving a vehicle within a safety-critical area, comprising means for communicating information regarding the current traffic within the safety-critical area to the vehicle, and means to ensure, based on the thus communicated information, that the driving of the vehicle's pr is stopped or prevented where required. According to one embodiment of the system, the safety-critical area represents an airport.

According to one embodiment, the system comprises means for preventing that the vehicle is driven into a high risk area within said safety-critical area.

According to one embodiment of the system, the means for ensuring that the driving of the vehicle is stopped or prevented where required is carried out automatically. According to one embodiment, the system comprises means to ensure, based on the thus communicated information in case of a lack of requirement that the vehicle is caused to revert to unhindered driving.

The system requirements have advantages similar to the advantages mentioned above for corresponding method claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood more easily with reference to the following detailed description read in conjunction with the enclosed drawings, where the same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a motor vehicle, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a system for improved traffic safety when driving a vehicle within a safety-critical area, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 schematically illustrates a safety-critical area according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 4 schematically illustrates a block diagram of a method for improved traffic safety when driving a vehicle within a safety-critical area, according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 5 schematically illustrates a computer according to one embodiment of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The term "link" herein refers to a communications link, which may be a physical line, such as an opto-electronic communication line, or a non- physical line, such as a wireless connection, e.g. a radio or microwave link. Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a motor vehicle 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The exemplified vehicle 1 consists of a heavy goods vehicle in the form of a bus. The vehicle may also consist of any suitable vehicle such as a tools of a trade vehicle, e.g. a snowplough, a truck or a passenger car. According to one version, the vehicle consists of a vehicle for an airport area. The vehicle comprises a system I according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a block diagram of a system I for improved traffic safety when driving a vehicle within a safety-critical area, according to one embodiment of the present invention. According to one embodiment, the safety-critical area represents an airport.

The system I comprises an electronic control device 100.

The system I comprises means 1 10 for communicating information to the vehicle, concerning the current traffic within the safety-critical area. The means 1 10 for communicating information relating to the current traffic within the safety-critical area to the vehicle comprises means to determine the current traffic within the safety-critical area.

The means 1 10 for communicating information relating to the current traffic within the safety-critical area to the vehicle comprises information regarding arriving and departing aircraft, comprising the current position and expected position for arriving and departing aircraft.

The means 1 10 for communicating information relating to the current traffic within the safety-critical area to the vehicle comprises, according to one embodiment, the airport's air traffic control services comprising units for communication, navigation and monitoring, for provision and communication of information regarding the current traffic within the airport area.

The means 1 10 for communication information t relating to the current traffic within the safety-critical area to the vehicle also comprises, according to one embodiment, communication from other vehicles, comprising arriving and departing aircraft and other vehicles travelling within the safety-critical area/airport area. Herewith, the vehicle receives information from other vehicles relating to the current traffic, whereby the vehicle, according to one version, obtains information from arriving and departing aircraft comprising the current and expected position, as well as information from other vehicles within the safety-critical area/airport area, such as buses, tools of trade vehicles or similar.

The means 1 10 for communicating information relating to the current traffic within the safety-critical area to the vehicle comprises any suitable means for communication, and comprises, according to one version, a radio device and/or so-called wireless LAN or WLAN to determine and communicate the current traffic within the safety-critical area/airport area.

The system I comprises means 120 for information regarding the route within the safety-critical area, the information comprising a map information device, in turn comprising map data with characteristics of the safety-critical area, comprising roads, runways, exits, barriers, speed limits and similar.

The system I comprises means 130 for determining the vehicle's position in the form of a geographical positioning system, i.e. GPS, in order to identify the vehicle's position within the safety-critical area, thus to be able to determine the vehicle's position in relation to other vehicles, such as arriving or departing aircraft, to assess a potential collision risk.

The system I also comprises means 140 to determine the vehicle's speed. The means 140 for determining the vehicle's speed comprises, according to one version, a speedometer element. System I further comprises means 150 to ensure that the driving of the vehicle within the safety-critical area is stopped or prevented. The means 150 to ensure that the driving of the vehicle is stopped or prevented comprises means to ensure that the vehicle is stopped when the vehicle is travelling at a certain speed greater than zero, and means to ensure that starting of the vehicle is prevented if the vehicle is stationary. The means 150 to ensure that the driving of the vehicle is stopped or prevented comprises means for automatic activation of the vehicle's braking element, wherein the vehicle's braking element may comprise a travel braking element, an auxiliary braking element, and an engine braking element. The means 150 to ensure that the driving of the vehicle is stopped or prevented comprises means for automatic deactivation of the throttle element, so that the driver is not permitted to accelerate to drive the vehicle, which according to one version comprises deactivation of the gas pedal, so that the gas pedal may not be used. The throttle element may be a throttle element/gas pedal for any suitable vehicle, comprising a combustion engine driven vehicle, a hybrid driven vehicle or an electrically driven vehicle. The means to ensure that starting of the vehicle is prevented when the vehicle is stationary may comprise any suitable means to make it impossible to drive the vehicle. The system I further comprises means 160, to ensure in case of a lack of requirement that the vehicle is brought to revert to unhindered driving. The means 160, to ensure in case of a lack of requirement that the vehicle is brought to revert to unhindered driving, comprises means for automatic reactivation of the vehicle's braking elements, wherein the vehicle's braking elements may comprise a travel braking element, auxiliary braking element, and an engine braking element, and means for automatic reactivation of the throttle element, wherein the throttle element may comprise the vehicle's gas pedal.

The electronic control device 100 is signal-connected, via a link 10m, to the means 1 10 for communicating information relating to the current traffic within the safety-critical area, , to the vehicle. The electronic control device 100 is arranged, via the link 10, to receive a signal from the means 1 10 for communicating information relating to the current traffic within the safety- critical area to the vehicle, the information representing traffic data for the current traffic, which may comprise arriving/departing aircraft.

The electronic control device 100 is signal-connected , via a link 20, to the means 120 for information about the travel route within the safety-critical area. The electronic control device 100 is arranged, via the link 20, to receive a signal from the means 120 for information about the travel route within the safety-critical area, the information representing map data for roads, runways, exits, barriers, speed limits and similar.

The electronic control device 100 is signal-connected , via a link 30, to the means 130 for determining the vehicle's position. The electronic control device 100 is arranged, via the link 30, to receive a signal from said means 130 for determining of the vehicle's position, the signal representing the vehicle position data.

The electronic control device 100 is signal-connected , via a link 40, to the means 140 for determining the vehicle's speed.. The electronic control device 100 is arranged, via the link 40, to receive a signal from the means 140 for determining the vehicle's speed, the signal representing speed data.

The electronic control device 100 is signal-connected , via a link 50, to the means 150 for ensuring that the driving of the vehicle within the safety-critical area is stopped or prevented. The electronic control device 100 is arranged, via the link 50, to send a signal to the means 150 for ensuring that the driving of the vehicle within the safety-critical area is stopped or prevented, the signal representing obstacle data for driving the vehicle, comprising brake activation data for activation of the vehicle's braking elements and deactivation data for deactivation of the throttle element/gas pedal, to prevent the driver from being able to drive the vehicle by accelerating. The electronic control device 100 is signal-connected , via a link 60, to the means 160 for ensuring, in case of a lack of requirement that the vehicle is brought to revert to unhindered driving. The electronic control device 100 is arranged, via the link 60, to send a signal to the means 160 for ensuring, in case of a lack of requirement, that the vehicle is brought to revert to unhindered driving, the signal representing brake deactivation data for deactivation of the vehicle's braking elements and reactivation data for reactivation of the throttle element.

The electronic control device 100 is arranged to process said traffic data, map data, vehicle position data and speed data in order to determine the current traffic situation within the safety-critical area and assess whether there is a need to ensure that the driving of the vehicle is stopped or prevented.

If there is a need to ensure that the driving of the vehicle is stopped or prevented, the electronic control device is arranged to send brake activation data to the means, ensuring that the driving of the vehicle within the safety- critical area is stopped or prevented, i.e. ensuring that the vehicle's braking elements are activated, so that the vehicle is braked/prevented from starting, and/or ensuring that the vehicle's throttle element is deactivated, so that the vehicle cannot be driven.

The electronic control device 100 is arranged, when a requirement is deemed to exist, to ensure that the driving of the vehicle is stopped or prevented, to determine the urgency of the requirement, i.e. whether emergency braking or a similar urgent measure is required. In case of an urgent requirement, the electronic control device 100 is arranged to send brake activation data to the means, ensuring that the driving of the vehicle within the safety-critical area is stopped as soon as possible, i.e. ensuring that the braking element is activated quickly and that heavy braking occurs. In case of a less urgent requirement, the braking element may be activated for softer braking. According to one embodiment, the system I is configured so that the means for communicating information relating to the current traffic within the safety- critical area/airport area to the vehicle and the means ensuring, based on the thus communicated information, that the driving of the vehicle, where required, is stopped or prevented, also consider the priority ranking for the different vehicles within the safety-critical area/airport area, taking into account which aircraft will land first and, accordingly, which vehicle should have precedence, to thus streamline the traffic in the airport area and ensure that e.g. no unnecessary waiting periods for aircraft/passengers arise. Herewith, the system comprises, according to one embodiment, a turn-taking system.

The system I according to the present invention may advantageously also be used for autonomous vehicles.

Fig. 3 schematically illustrates a safety-critical area A according to one embodiment of the present invention. The safety-critical area A here represents an airport area. The airport area comprises arriving and departing aircraft, here illustrated with an arriving aircraft 2 about to land on a runway R. The airport area A comprises vehicles such as buses, passenger cars, tools of trade vehicles, e.g. snowploughs, etc. Fig. 3 illustrates a vehicle 1 in the form of a bus. The airport area A comprises an air control tower T, which communicates with the aircraft 2 via a link 1 10a, and with the vehicle 1 via the link 1 10. The aircraft 2 could also communicate, according to one version, directly with the vehicle 1 via a link 1 10b.

Fig. 4 schematically illustrates a block diagram of a method for improved traffic safety when driving a vehicle within a safety-critical area, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

According to one embodiment, the method for improved traffic safety when driving a vehicle within a safety-critical area comprises a first step S1 . In this step, infornnation relating to the current traffic within the safety-critical area is communicated to the vehicle.

According to one embodiment, the method for improved traffic safety when driving a vehicle within a safety-critical area comprises a second step S2. This step ensures, based on the thus communicated information, that the driving of the vehicle, where required, is stopped or prevented.

With reference to Fig. 5, a diagram of an embodiment of a unit 500 is shown. The control device 100 described with reference to Fig. 2 may, in one embodiment, comprise the unit 500. The unit 500 includes a non-volatile memory 520, a data processing unit 510 and a read/write memory 550. The non-volatile memory 520 has a first memory part 530, wherein a computer program, such as an operating system, is stored to control the function of the unit 500. Further, the unit 500 includes a bus controller, a serial communications port, an I/O device, an A/D converter, a date-time input and transmission unit, an event counter and an interrupt controller (not shown). The non-volatile memory 520 also has a second memory part 540.

A computer program P is provided, comprising procedures for improved traffic safety when driving a vehicle within a safety-critical area according to the innovative method. The program P comprises procedures for communicating information relating to the current traffic within the safety- critical area to the vehicle. The program P comprises procedures in order to, based on the thus communicated information, ensure that the driving of the vehicle, where required, is stopped or prevented. The program P may be stored in an executable manner, or in a compressed manner, in a memory 560 and/or a read/write memory 550.

A statement that the data processing unit 510 performs a certain function means that the data processing unit 510 performs a certain part of the program stored in the memory 560, or a certain part of the program stored in the read/write memory 550. The data processing unit 510 may communicate with a data port 599 via a data bus 515. The non-volatile memory 520 is intended for communication with the data processing unit 510 via a data bus 512. The separate memory 560 is intended for communication with the data processing unit 510 via a data bus 51 1 . The read/write memory 550 is arranged for communication with the data processing unit 510 via a data bus 514. The links connected with the control device 100 may e.g. be connected to the data port 599.

When data is received in the data port 599, it is temporarily stored in the second memory part 540. When input data received is temporarily stored, the data processing unit 510 is ready to carry out execution of code in the manner described above. The signals received in the data port 599 may be used by the unit 500 in order to communicate information relating to the current traffic within the safety-critical area to the vehicle. The signals received in the data port 599 may be used by the unit 500 in order to, based on the thus communicated information, ensure that the driving of the vehicle, where required, is stopped or prevented.

Parts of the methods described herein may be carried out by the unit 500 with the help of the data processing unit 510, which runs the program stored in the memory 560 or the read/write memory 550. When the unit 500 runs the program, the procedures described herein are executed.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention has been furnished for illustrative and descriptive purposes. It is not intended to be exhaustive, or to limit the invention to the variants described. Many modifications and variations will obviously be apparent to one skilled in the art. The embodiments have been chosen and described in order to best explicate the principles of the invention and its practical applications, and to thereby enable one skilled in the art to understand the invention in terms of its various embodiments and with the various modifications that are applicable to its intended use.

Claims

1 . Method for improved traffic safety when driving a vehicle (1 ) within a safety-critical area, consisting of an airport, characterised by the steps of: communicating (S1 ) information relating to the current traffic within the safety-critical area to the vehicle, the information comprising arriving and departing aircraft;

based on the thus communicated information, ensuring (S2) that the driving of the vehicle, where required, is stopped or prevented, and

preventing that the vehicle is driven into a high risk area, comprising a runway within said safety-critical area, to prevent a collision between an aircraft and the vehicle.

2. Method according to the previous claim, wherein the step of ensuring that the driving of the vehicle, where required, is stopped or prevented is carried out automatically.

3. Method according to any of claims 1 -2, comprising the step of, based on the thus communicated information and in case of a lack of requirement, ensuring that the vehicle is brought to revert to unhindered driving.

4. System (I) for improved traffic safety when driving a vehicle (1 ) within a safety-critical area (A), wherein the safety-critical area (A) consists of an airport (A), characterised by means (1 10) to communicate information relating to the current traffic within the safety-critical area to the vehicle, the information comprising arriving and departing aircraft; means (100, 150) to ensure, based on the thus communicated information, that the driving of the vehicle, where required, is stopped or prevented, and means (100, 150) for preventing that the vehicle is driven into a high risk area (R), comprising a runway within said safety-critical area (A), in order to prevent a collision between aircraft and the vehicle.

5. System according to the previous claim, wherein the means (100, 150) for ensuring that the driving of the vehicle, where required, is stopped or prevented is carried out automatically.

6. System according to any of claims 4-5, comprising means (100, 160) to ensure, based on the thus communicated information in case of a lack of requirement, that the vehicle is brought to revert to unhindered driving.

7. Vehicle comprising a system according to any of the claims 4-6.

8. Computer program (P) for improved traffic safety when driving a vehicle within a safety-critical area, wherein said computer program (P) comprises program code which, when executed by an electronic control device (100) or another computer (500) connected to the electronic control device (100), causes the electronic control device (100) to carry out the steps according to claims 1 -3.

9. Computer program product comprising a digital storage medium which stores the computer program according to claim 8.