Volume 4, 2006
Vol. 4, No. 1, December 2006
Regular papers
Number: 03-01
Type: Regular
Pages: 03-12
Title: Fusion of Vision, GPS and 3D Gyro Data in Solving Camera Registration Problem for Direct Visual Navigation
Author(s): Zhencheng Hu (Kumamoto University)
Keiichi Uchimura (Kumamoto University)
Received: 19/04/2005
Revised: 23/07/2005, 17/10/2005, 26/01/2006
Accepted: 26/01/2006
Abstract: This paper presents a precise and robust camera registration solution for the novel vision-based road navigation system – VICNAS, which superimposes virtual 3D navigation indicators and traffic signs upon the real road view in an Augmented Reality (AR) space. Traditional vision based or inertial sensor based solutions of registration problem are mostly designed for well-structured environment, which is however unavailable in a wide-open uncontrolled road environment for navigation purposes. This paper proposed a hybrid system that combines computer vision, GPS and 3D inertial gyroscope technologies to provide precise and robust camera pose estimation. The fusion approach is based on our PMM (parameterized model matching) algorithm, in which the road shape model is derived from the digital map data, and matched with road features extracted from real images. Inertial data estimates the initial possible motion, and also serves as relative tolerance to stable the pose output. The algorithms proposed in this paper are validated with the experimental results of real road tests under different road conditions.
Keywords: Data fusion, camera registration problem, augmented reality, vehicle navigation system
Number: 03-13
Type: Regular
Pages: 13-19
Title: Quantitative Performance Evaluation of Predictive Collision Warning System based on Inter-Vehicle Communication
Author(s): Yuusuke Takatori (Saitama University)
Takaaki Hasegawa (Saitama University)
Received: 19/04/2005
Revised: 25/07/2005, 17/10/2005
Accepted: 15/11/2005
Abstract: In this paper, the safety performance of a predictive collision warning system based on inter-vehicle communication is evaluated quantitatively by using a microscopic traffic simulator. Vehicles equipped with collision warning systems based on inter-vehicle communication exchange front-seat information with surrounding vehicles, and the systems warn the drivers if they detect any danger of collision. This paper focuses on the predictive collision warning system that can be used on multilane highways. First, the properties of the system prediction time are evaluated. Next, the properties of the diffusion ratio of the system are evaluated from the viewpoints of both the road administrators and drivers. The results show that the safety performance of the system from the viewpoint of the former increases drastically when the diffusion ratio exceeds 60%. In addition, the safety performances of vehicles equipped with the system and unequipped vehicles are evaluated quantitatively by microscopic traffic simulation from the viewpoint of the driver. A mixed scenario of equipped and unequipped vehicles is simulated. The simulation result reveals that in the case of unequipped vehicles, the average traveling distance in which no accident occurs does not depend on the diffusion ratio; in contrast, in the case of equipped vehicles, this distance is approximately 1.5-4.0 times greater.
Keywords: inter-vehicle communication, collision warning, microscopic traffic simulation
Number: 04-01
Type: Regular
Pages: 21-28
Title: An Analysis of the Cost Efficiency of Probe Vehicle Data at Different Transmission Frequencies
Author(s): Kai Liu (Nagoya University )
Toshiyuki Yamamoto (Nagoya University)
Takayuki Morikawa (Nagoya University)
Received: 13/12/2005
Revised: 15/03/2006
Accepted: 19/04/2006
Abstract: Probe vehicles are promising tools for collecting travel time data because of their ability to provide large amounts of real-time information. However, there are many obstacles to the practical deployment of probe vehicles, one of which is the enormous expense of data transmission. This study attempts to assess the effects of differing transmission intervals (and therefore costs) on the quality of travel time data collected. Two accuracy/error values are examined: map-matching accuracy and the mean absolute percent error (MAPE) of link travel information. In order to determine the most cost-effective probe transmission frequency, the accuracy elasticity of cost is compared for six different ratios of data transmission charge to total communication cost.
Keywords: Cost efficiency, Probe vehicle data, Transmission frequencies
Number: 04-04
Type: Regular
Pages: 29-37
Title: Analysis on Effects of Social Experiment of Smart IC at Kamigo Service Area
Author(s): Motohiro Fujita (Nagoya Institute of Technology)
Koji Suzuki (Nagoya Institute of Technology)
Makoto Hasegawa (Nagoya Institute of Technology)
Takaya Ichikawa (Pacific Consultants Co., LTD)
Yohei Kawamura (Nagoya Institute of Technology)
Received: 22/05/2006
Revised: 08/09/2006
Accepted: 27/10/2006
Abstract: In Japan, the social experiment of Smart IC has been introduced in order to utilize existing expressway effectively, to ease traffic congestion around urban area and to activate local community since 2004. In this paper, we focus on the social experiment of Smart IC at Kamigo service area and analyze the factors affecting choice behavior of Smart IC, inhabitants’ consciousness for the continued operation of Smart IC and users’ satisfaction for the Smart IC by a questionnaire survey. As a result, both serviceability and issues by introducing Smart IC were clearly shown from the viewpoint of users and residents.
Keywords: Smart IC, social experiment, Kamigo Service Area
Number: 04-08
Type: Regular
Pages: 39-46
Title: Analysis of Road Potential and Bottlenecks Based on Operating Speed
Author(s): Hiroshi Warita (The University of Tokyo)
Hiroaki Okamura (Sai Traffic Planning Co., Ltd.)
Hirohisa Morita (Nihon University)
Masao Kuwahara (The University of Tokyo)
Edward Chung (The University of Tokyo)
Received: 09/06/2006
Revised: 13/09/2006, 23/10/2006
Accepted: 27/10/2006
Abstract: Vehicle detectors have been installed at approximately every 300 meters on each lane on Tokyo metropolitan expressway. Various traffic data such as traffic volume, average speed and time occupancy are collected by vehicle detectors. We can understand traffic characteristics of every point by comparing traffic data collected at consecutive points. In this study, we focused on average speed, analyzed road potential by operating speed during free-flow conditions, and identified latent bottlenecks. Furthermore, we analyzed effects for road potential by the rainfall level and day of the week. It’s expected that this method of analysis will be utilized for installation of ITS such as drive assist, estimation of parameters for traffic simulation and feedback to road design as congestion measures.
Keywords: Road potential, Operating speed, Percentile speed, Latent bottleneck
Number: 04-12
Type: Regular
Pages: 47-52
Title: Study on Improving Angular Acceleration Feel of the Driving Simulator and its Effects on Drivers’ Behaviors
Author(s): Masaaki Onuki (The University of Tokyo)
Yoshihiro Suda (The University of Tokyo)
Yoshiyuki Takahashi (Toyo University)
Hisanao Komine (The University of Tokyo)
Kosuke Matsushita (The University of Tokyo)
Received: 26/06/2006
Revised: 25/09/2006
Accepted: 25/10/2006
Abstract: In recent years, studies on the motion and human interface of the vehicle have been performed. Due to the rapid advancement of computer technologies, it becomes possible in driving simulators to display detailed scenes and provide realistic motion feels of the vehicle driving. Driving simulators are widely utilized in the research and development of vehicles that account for the driver behavior in a virtual traffic environment. However, some drivers feel sick during and after the driving. It could be caused by deep immersion of visual and motion feels. The driver feels the difference between the real driving and the virtual one. This paper presents about the development of the turning table in the driving simulator. It can provide yawing motion which is approximately same as actual one. It is shown in this paper that the use of the turning table leads to more realistic drivers’ feel for the steering actions. Furthermore, the effect of the angular accelerations on the drivers’ behaviors is demonstrated using the turning table installed in the driving simulator.
Keywords: Driving Simulator, Turning Table, Simulator Sickness, Driver Behavior
Technical Note
Number: 04-07
Type: Technical Note
Pages: 53-58
Title: Development and Evaluation of In-Vehicle Signing System Utilizing RFID tags as Digital Traffic Signs
Author(s): Yoshimichi Sato (Tome Public Works and Construction Office, Miyagi Prefectural Government)
Koji Makanae (Dept. of Spatial Design and Information Systems, Miyagi University)
Received: 29/05/2006
Revised: 09/11/2006
Accepted: 10/11/2006
Abstract: Vehicle drivers are requested to collect dynamic visual information on such matters as other vehicles and traffic signals, and static visual information including traffic signs, and to maneuver the vehicle accordingly. However, traffic signs and other static visual information are more likely to be overlooked than dynamic visual information during maneuver. In this study, an in-vehicle signing system was built and assessed that uses general-purpose RFID tags as digital traffic signs, and a field test was conducted using tags installed on a road to verify whether the system worked effectively or not. A laboratory test was also carried out using a video of vehicle travel to have subjects experience maneuver. Then, it was found that providing visual an vocal information in the vehicle was effective.
Keywords: in-vehicle signing system, RFID, traffic Sign