Virtual Barriers for Mitigating and Preventing Run-off Road Crashes – Phase II

Run-off-road (ROR) crashes result in over 10,000 deaths, hundreds of thousands of injuries, and cost billions of dollars annually, which are borne by the U.S. taxpayers. Some ROR crashes could be prevented with advanced forms of driver-assist technologies. A Virtual Barrier system is proposed, which wirelessly communicates the road geometry and optimal travel path to vehicles. The Virtual Barrier system would consist of a network of sensors and radios that interact with vehicle radios and broadcasting road coordinates. The vehicle guidance systems can then determine if current travel conditions (direction and velocity) are conducive for to remain within the lane. Vehicles which are equipped with “smart” guidance devices, such as electronically-assisted steering, throttle, and braking, may be able to prevent roadside departures from occurring, and vehicles which are not equipped with these Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS) may issue audible or tactile warnings if ROR departures are predicted. Once implemented, the Virtual Barrier system should result in ROR crash reduction of approximately 50%, which could save approximately 5,000 lives per year.

Language

  • English

Project

  • Status: Completed
  • Funding: $354478
  • Contract Numbers:

    69A3551747107

  • Sponsor Organizations:

    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

    University Transportation Centers Program
    Department of Transportation
    Washington, DC  United States  20590

    Mid-America Transportation Center

    University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    2200 Vine Street, PO Box 830851
    Lincoln, NE  United States  68583-0851
  • Managing Organizations:

    Mid-America Transportation Center

    University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    2200 Vine Street, PO Box 830851
    Lincoln, NE  United States  68583-0851
  • Project Managers:

    Stearns, Amy

  • Performing Organizations:

    University of Nebraska, Lincoln

    Midwest Roadside Safety Facility
    2200 Vine Street, Whittier Building
    Lincoln, NE  United States  68583-0853
  • Principal Investigators:

    Stolle, Cody

    Faller, Ronald

  • Start Date: 20181010
  • Expected Completion Date: 20191231
  • Actual Completion Date: 20191231
  • USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers Program
  • Source Data: 91994-30

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01692265
  • Record Type: Research project
  • Source Agency: Mid-America Transportation Center
  • Contract Numbers: 69A3551747107
  • Files: UTC, RIP
  • Created Date: Feb 5 2019 4:21PM