Vehicle to pedestrian communications for protection of vulnerable road users

Anaya, Jose Javier; Merdrignac, Pierre; Shagdar, Oyunchimeg; Nashashibi, Fawzi; Naranjo, Jose E. · 2014 · Crossref

DOI: 10.1109/ivs.2014.6856553

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Summary

This paper addresses the critical safety issue of vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) collisions, which frequently result in fatalities among vulnerable road users. While existing research focuses heavily on vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications or sensor-based detection, the authors argue that these approaches fail in non-line-of-sight conditions or poor visibility. The study investigates the feasibility of using Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11g) for direct V2P communications to alert pedestrians of oncoming vehicles, aiming to provide sufficient time for perception and reaction. The methodology involves formulating application requirements for minimum information exchange distance based on vehicle velocity, human perception/reaction times, and positioning accuracy. The authors conducted field experiments using a Citroen C1 equipped with a Wi-Fi transmitter and a pedestrian carrying a Samsung Galaxy Tab. They measured GPS accuracy, Packet Delivery Ratio (PDR), and Packet Inter-Reception Time (PIR) across varying distances. Two scenarios were tested: one where the pedestrian held the device (blocking the signal with their body) and one where the device was in a backpack. Additionally, the authors developed a proof-of-concept application, V2ProVu, which calculates a Geographical Destination Area (GDA) to assess collision risk and trigger alarms. Key findings indicate that GPS positioning errors average approximately 10 meters, even in good conditions. Wi-Fi performance was significantly impacted by signal blockage; when the human body blocked the signal, the communication range required to achieve an 80% PDR dropped to 130 meters, compared to 305 meters when the signal was unblocked. Despite this, the study determined that Wi-Fi can satisfy safety requirements if the message transmission frequency exceeds 1 Hz. For a vehicle traveling at 80 km/h, information exchange must occur before the distance drops below 72 meters. The V2ProVu application successfully demonstrated risk calculation and hazard alarming, using Time-to-Collision (TTC) thresholds to distinguish between general awareness and immediate danger. The significance of this work lies in demonstrating that commercially available Wi-Fi technology in handheld devices can support pedestrian safety applications, provided transmission frequencies are optimized. The study highlights the critical impact of human body signal blockage on communication range, a factor often overlooked in V2V research. By defining specific distance and timing requirements and providing a functional application prototype, the paper offers a concrete pathway for implementing V2P systems that empower pedestrians to react to oncoming traffic, potentially reducing fatalities among vulnerable road users.

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Topics

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• v2x connected vehicle
• vru facing ehmi