A Novel Driver Warning System with Hedging to Promote Defensive Driving

Project Abstract

This project aims to improve current in-vehicle driver warning systems that only alert drivers in the host vehicles by developing a new driving warning system that hedges against the remaining safety risk of the current driver warning systems and promotes defensive driving of the surrounding vehicles. Specifically, two new driver warning algorithms, namely FCW-H: Forward Collision Warning with Hedging and BSW-H: Blind Spot Warning with Hedging, will be developed. To evaluate the proposed algorithms, a driving simulator will be used and driving data will be collected and analyzed. The results of this project have the potential to reduce traffic crashes and leave a tangible impact in preparing for the next-generation intelligent transportation system technologies in the era of smart cities.

Universities Involved

Morgan State University

Principle Investigators

Dr. Mansoureh Jeihani 

Dr. Di Yang

Dr. Celeste Chavis

Funding Sources and Amounts

USDOT: $100,000

Start Date

September 1, 2023

Completion Date

September 1, 2024

Expected Research Outcomes & Impacts

This project is the first to propose to hedge against the safety risk that cannot be properly accounted for in current driver warning systems. By developing two novel driver warning algorithms, namely FCW-H and BSW-H, this project is transformative in supporting the improvement of traffic safety through the mitigation of driver errors for various road users. The developed new technologies and the findings from this project have the potential to open a new subfield in driver warning system design and increase our understanding of driver behavior with the presence of next-generation intelligent transportation systems.

Subject Areas

Connected and Automated Vehicles, Safety