Department of Engineering, Roma Tre University, Via Vito Volterra 62, 00146, Rome, Italy.
Department of Engineering, Roma Tre University, Via Vito Volterra 62, 00146, Rome, Italy.
Accid Anal Prev. 2020 Dec;148:105793. doi: 10.1016/j.aap.2020.105793. Epub 2020 Oct 2.
Left-turns are some of the most dangerous maneuvers drivers face as they involve a complex decision-making process. Indeed, drivers must wait for an adequate gap in oncoming traffic to safely complete a left-turn maneuver. In this context, incorrectly assessed gaps can lead to severe crashes and severe traffic delays at intersections. This study tests the potential of Augmented Reality (AR) technology, built into connected vehicle technology, to improve the safety of left-turn maneuvers of connected vehicles by adding visual virtual information to the driver. To achieve this goal, a driving simulator study was carried out. The effectiveness of the system was tested, and the ability of young drivers to detect adequate gaps between vehicles in the opposite lane (with right of way) to safely turn left was assessed with and without AR warnings at a two-way stop-controlled intersection under a connected vehicles environment. In the scenario projected on the simulation screen, three different virtual warnings were displayed and tested: a green/red traffic light, which informs the driver of the availability of an appropriate gap between opposing vehicles; a traffic light with a timer showing the number of seconds available to safely perform the left-turn maneuver; a traffic light with an additionally activated audio warning system. Significant positive effects of AR warnings on driving performance and traffic safety were observed: the number of safe left-turns increased and the delays at the intersection decreased. In addition, AR signaling improved driving behavior both during the waiting time, with many more drivers waiting for the gap in front of the stop line to avoid disrupting oncoming traffic, and turning movement, reducing the average time it took to complete the left-turn maneuver. This study confirmed the great potential of AR and connected vehicle technologies to improve general safety conditions on the road network, especially under risky situations and difficult maneuvers.
左转是驾驶员面临的最危险的操作之一，因为它涉及到一个复杂的决策过程。实际上，驾驶员必须等待迎面而来的车辆有足够的间隙，以安全地完成左转操作。在这种情况下，错误评估的间隙可能导致交叉口严重碰撞和严重交通延误。本研究测试了增强现实（AR）技术的潜力，该技术内置在联网车辆技术中，通过向驾驶员添加视觉虚拟信息，提高联网车辆左转操作的安全性。为了实现这一目标，进行了驾驶模拟器研究。测试了系统的有效性，并评估了在联网车辆环境下，双向停车控制交叉口，年轻人驾驶员在有和没有 AR 警告的情况下，检测迎面而来的车辆（具有先行权）之间足够间隙以安全左转的能力。在模拟屏幕上投影的场景中，显示并测试了三种不同的虚拟警告：绿色/红色交通信号灯，通知驾驶员对面车辆之间有适当的间隙；带有计时器的交通信号灯，显示安全执行左转操作的可用秒数；带有额外激活的音频警告系统的交通信号灯。观察到 AR 警告对驾驶性能和交通安全有显著的积极影响：安全左转的次数增加，交叉口的延误减少。此外，AR 信号改善了等待时间和转弯运动期间的驾驶行为，使更多的驾驶员等待停止线前的间隙，以避免干扰迎面而来的交通，并减少完成左转操作所需的平均时间。这项研究证实了 AR 和联网车辆技术在改善道路网络的一般安全条件方面的巨大潜力，尤其是在危险情况下和困难操作时。
