Soon road signs will become a memory
Most of KTH’s researchers form a part of an extensive European research project which is called Coopers, which aims to create intelligent roads and smart vehicles with the help of technology. Tests of the technology now show that the system with the same name as the research project leads to greater safety, improved traffic flows and a reduced environmental impact.
The car of the future will receive traffic information sent to it dynamically; information about the quality of the road, the formation of ice, accidents, fog and traffic jams are just a few examples.
“This is about moving information from the road to the car. It could be anything from information about an ambulance that will shortly appear in your rear-view mirror and other dangers which the driver cannot see, to dynamic speed indications on a display in the car instead of having a permanent road sign,” says Harilaos Koutsopoulos, professor and division manager at Traffic and Logistics at KTH.
Coopers - which stands for Co-operative Systems for Intelligent Road Safety - has been tested via simulations and proper field studies, and thus far the researchers have analysed the results from the simulations.
“Simulations and field studies have been used to examine how drivers react with and without the use of Coopers. The analyses of the simulations show that cars equipped with Coopers lead to increased safety, better traffic flows and a reduced environmental impact,” says Harilaos Koutsopoulos.
Research colleague Haneen Farah agrees, and adds that she is now working on phase 2, the analysis of the field studies.
“The field studies involve around 50 drivers from Italy and as many drivers from Austria, and the analysis will be ready in two months,” says Haneen Farah.
Simulations and field studies also involve information as to how the drivers react in different traffic situations, if and when they accelerate, reduce speed or change lane.
In addition, the tests have been followed up by a questionnaire. From the results it will be possible to ascertain whether the test subjects were positive to the use of Coopers, and whether or not after having used the system, they are more positive to Coopers than before.
The biggest positive difference can be found when they answer the question as to whether they think that Coopers supports them in their driving.
“The traffic information in Coopers must be provided efficiently, but it should not distract and it should be both visual and aural. Great emphasis is made on creating an interface in the car which will be both user-friendly and of considerable use,” says Harilaos Koutsopoulos.
For more information, contact Haneen Farah at 08 - 790 7977 or fhanin@kth.se.
Peter Larsson