Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), now being developed rapidly, try to improve the relationships between people, vehicles, and roads. They aim for better safety, efficiency, and comfort of traditional transport systems by applying computer, electronics, and sensor technologies. This paper reports on a research project in Taiwan which studies the effects of a lane change warning system on the achievement of these aims. Accidents often happen to drivers changing lanes, because of their blind spot while driving. The lane change information provider is similar to a collision warning system. It improves safety during lane changes by informing drivers of the distance between their vehicles and vehicles in other lanes, and giving them information about the arrival times and speeds of those vehicles. The lane change driving performance of this system is studied by using a driving simulator. The paper discusses: (1) the simulation environment, including roadway, propagation of a virtual car and of a target car, and lane change information provider; (2) experimental design; and (3) data analysis of the test results. Preliminary results show that the distance information provided is clear to test drivers, and that it will result in safer driving performance than with other methods.
Abstract