Effective Range Assessment of Lidar Imaging Systems for Autonomous Vehicles Under Adverse Weather Conditions with Stationary Vehicles

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamil Abdo ◽  
Spencer Hamblin ◽  
Genshe Chen
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Technology Implementation ◽  
Autonomous Vehicles ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Imaging Systems ◽  
Extreme Conditions ◽  
Commercial Vehicles ◽  
Performance Quality ◽  
Adverse Weather Conditions ◽  
Adverse Weather

Abstract Light detection and ranging (Lidar) imaging systems are being increasingly used in autonomous vehicles. However, the final technology implementation is still undetermined as major automotive manufacturers are only starting to select providers for data collection units that can be introduced in commercial vehicles. Currently, testing for autonomous vehicles is mostly performed in sunny environments. Experiments conducted in good weather cannot provide information regarding performance quality under extreme conditions such as fog, rain, and snow. Under extreme conditions, many instances of false detection may arise because of the backscattered intensity, thereby reducing the reliability of the sensor. In this work, lidar sensors were tested in adverse weather to understand how extreme weather affects data collection. Testing setup and algorithms were developed for this purpose. The results are expected to provide technological validation for the commercial use of lidar in automated vehicles. The effective ranges of two popular lidar sensors were estimated under adverse weather conditions, namely, fog, rain, and snow. Results showed that fog severely affected lidar performance, and rain too had some effect on the performance. Meanwhile, snow did not affect lidar performance.

REVIEW OF TRAFFIC DATA COLLECTION METHODS FOR DRIVERS’ CAR – FOLLOWING BEHAVIOUR UNDER VARIOUS WEATHER CONDITIONS

2016 ◽  
Vol 78 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mey Shariff ◽  
Othman Che Puan ◽  
Nordiana Mashros
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Driving Simulator ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Traffic Data ◽  
Car Following ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Adverse Weather Conditions ◽  
Traffic Data Collection ◽  
Comparative Review ◽  
Adverse Weather

Adverse weather conditions have considerable impact on traffic operation and safety as it affects drivers’ car-following behaviour. However, the quality of traffic data and its related methodologies to address these effects are under continuous enhancement. This paper intends to provide an overview of various empirical traffic data collection methodologies widely used to investigate drivers car-following behaviour under various weather conditions. These methodologies include video cameras, pneumatic tubes, floating car data, instrumented vehicle and driving simulator. Moreover, the advantages and disadvantages related to methodologies have been discussed with emphasis on their suitability to work under adverse weather conditions. Furthermore, conclusion also comprises on table format of comparative review of facilities concerned with the methodologies.  

The Impact of Adverse Weather Conditions on Autonomous Vehicles: How Rain, Snow, Fog, and Hail Affect the Performance of a Self-Driving Car

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shizhe Zang ◽  
Ming Ding ◽  
David Smith ◽  
Paul Tyler ◽  
Thierry Rakotoarivelo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autonomous Vehicles ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Adverse Weather Conditions ◽  
Adverse Weather ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Application of Kalman Filter to Improve 3D LiDAR Signals of Autonomous Vehicles in Adverse Weather

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 3018
Author(s):  
Shih-Lin Lin ◽  
Bing-Han Wu
Keyword(s):  
Kalman Filter ◽  
Autonomous Vehicles ◽  
Traffic Accidents ◽  
Autonomous Vehicle ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Weather Data ◽  
Stereo Images ◽  
Adverse Weather Conditions ◽  
Adverse Weather ◽  
On The Road

A worldwide increase in the number of vehicles on the road has led to an increase in the frequency of serious traffic accidents, causing loss of life and property. Autonomous vehicles could be part of the solution, but their safe operation is dependent on the onboard LiDAR (light detection and ranging) systems used for the detection of the environment outside the vehicle. Unfortunately, problems with the application of LiDAR in autonomous vehicles remain, for example, the weakening of the echo detection capability in adverse weather conditions. The signal is also affected, even drowned out, by sensory noise outside the vehicles, and the problem can become so severe that the autonomous vehicle cannot move. Clearly, the accuracy of the stereo images sensed by the LiDAR must be improved. In this study, we developed a method to improve the acquisition of LiDAR data in adverse weather by using a combination of a Kalman filter and nearby point cloud denoising. The overall LiDAR framework was tested in experiments in a space 2 m in length and width and 0.6 m high. Normal weather and three kinds of adverse weather conditions (rain, thick smoke, and rain and thick smoke) were simulated. The results show that this system can be used to recover normal weather data from data measured by LiDAR even in adverse weather conditions. The results showed an effective improvement of 10% to 30% in the LiDAR stereo images. This method can be developed and widely applied in the future.

Automation of plant care processes based on machine vision technology

2021 ◽  
pp. 151-160
Author(s):  
A.A. Kiryanov ◽  
S.B. Benevolensky ◽  
I.K. Belchenko
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Adverse Weather Conditions ◽  
Mechanical Removal ◽  
Care Processes ◽  
Data Collection And Analysis ◽  
Adverse Weather ◽  
Open Ground ◽  
Processing Information ◽  
Manual Weeding

This paper presents the results of developments for a robotic agrotechnical complex capable of performing work in the open ground and in greenhouse conditions. Algorithmic solutions and the developed software in the development under consideration include separate blocks that implement the necessary functional options for data collection and analysis of the mineral and biological composition of the soil substrate, its humidity, electrical conductivity and temperature, for data collection and analysis of crop morbidity and vegetation progress. The software and hardware complex using a mobile self-propelled base with sufficient controls and sensors allows processing information on the targeted application of fertilizers and preparations, mechanical removal of weed flora, including in adverse weather conditions, when the introduction of drugs is not feasible, and manual weeding is economically and physically impossible.

scholarly journals Passive Sensing of Electromagnetic Signature of Roadway Material for Lateral Positioning of Vehicle

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sachindra Dahal ◽  
◽  
Jeffery Roesler ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Autonomous Vehicles ◽  
Concrete Slab ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Concrete Surface ◽  
Lateral Position ◽  
Driver Assistance Systems ◽  
Adverse Weather Conditions ◽  
Adverse Weather ◽  
Material Volume ◽  
Electromagnetic Signature

Autonomous vehicles (AV) and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) offer multiple safety benefits for drivers and road agencies. However, maintaining the lateral position of an AV or a vehicle with ADAS within a lane is a challenge, especially in adverse weather conditions when lane markings are occluded. For significant penetration of AV without compromising safety, vehicle-to-infrastructure sensing capabilities are necessary, especially during severe weather conditions. This research proposes a method to create a continuous electromagnetic (EM) signature on the roadway, using materials compatible with existing paving materials and construction methods. Laboratory testing of the proposed concept was performed on notched concrete-slab specimens and concrete prisms containing EM materials. An induction-based eddy-current sensor and magnetometers were implemented to detect the EM signature. The detected signals were compared to evaluate the effects of sensor height above the concrete surface, type of EM materials, EM-material volume, material shape, and volume of EM concrete prisms. A layer of up to 2 in. (5.1 cm) of water, ice, snow, or sand was placed between the sensor and the concrete slab to represent adverse weather conditions. Results showed that factors such as sensor height, EM-material volume, EM dosage, types of the EM material, and shape of the EM material in the prism were significant attenuators of the EM signal and must be engineered properly. Presence of adverse surface conditions had a negligible effect, as compared to normal conditions, indicating robustness of the presented method. This study proposes a promising method to complement existing sensors’ limitations in AVs and ADAS for effective lane-keeping during normal and adverse weather conditions with the help of vehicle-to-pavement interaction.

scholarly journals Ship Handling in Unprotected Waters: A Review of New Technologies in Escort Tugs to Improve Safety

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-62
Author(s):  
Santiago Iglesias-Baniela ◽  
Juan Vinagre-Ríos ◽  
José M. Pérez-Canosa
Keyword(s):  
High Performance ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Hull Form ◽  
Best Available Technologies ◽  
Adverse Weather Conditions ◽  
Adverse Weather ◽  
New Type ◽  
Technological Challenge ◽  
And Performance

It is a well-known fact that the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster caused the escort towing of laden tankers in many coastal areas of the world to become compulsory. In order to implement a new type of escort towing, specially designed to be employed in very adverse weather conditions, considerable changes in the hull form of escort tugs had to be made to improve their stability and performance. Since traditional winch and ropes technologies were only effective in calm waters, tugs had to be fitted with new devices. These improvements allowed the remodeled tugs to counterbalance the strong forces generated by the maneuvers in open waters. The aim of this paper is to perform a comprehensive literature review of the new high-performance automatic dynamic winches. Furthermore, a thorough analysis of the best available technologies regarding towline, essential to properly exploit the new winches, will be carried out. Through this review, the way in which the escort towing industry has faced this technological challenge is shown.

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