Not so long ago, in a country close, close by, buses across the nation were on a mission – a mission to improve road safety. Enter the world of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), where buses are adopting technologies akin to those seen in science fiction. Okay, so there’s no talking robots. But what exactly is ADAS, and why do buses need it?
The Case For ADAS
In Australia, buses serve as vital modes of transportation, ferrying commuters across cities and regions. However, despite their significance, buses pose unique challenges when it comes to road safety, particularly concerning vulnerable road users and blind spots. Incidents involving buses and pedestrians or cyclists are not uncommon, underscoring the need for proactive safety measures.
The introduction of ADAS technology addresses these concerns by equipping buses with intelligent collision avoidance systems. One notable example is Mobileye, an AI-powered solution that’s been present in the Australian market for over a decade. Sydney’s iconic double-decker bus fleet, the B-Line, embarked on a safety journey by outfitting all 38 buses with Mobileye technology. This trial aimed to enhance safety for commuters traversing Sydney’s Northern Beaches to the city, seven days a week.
How Does Mobileye’s ADAS Work?
Mobileye operates on cutting-edge computer vision technology, continuously scanning the road ahead to detect potential hazards. From pedestrians to cyclists, motorcyclists, and various vehicles, the system remains vigilant, ready to alert drivers at the first sign of a potential collision. Mobileye’s capabilities extend beyond mere collision detection, encompassing forward collisions, lane departures, headway monitoring, pedestrian and cyclist collisions, as well as speed limit alerts.
Data For Road & Transport Safety
Moreover, Mobileye’s telematics integration facilitates seamless connectivity with a web-based video telematics platform like FleetHQ. This feature enables real-time monitoring of driver behaviour, providing valuable insights for reporting and analysis. Data gathered from such trials holds the potential to inform broader road and infrastructure improvements, contributing to a safer transportation ecosystem.
Mandating ADAS For Buses
The necessity for technologies like Mobileye is further underscored by regulatory advancements such as the Australian Design Rules (ADR) 99/01. These regulations mandate the implementation of lane departure warning systems (LDWS) for new heavy vehicles, including certain buses. Studies indicate that LDWS can prevent up to 15% of fatal incidents on roads, highlighting their efficacy in enhancing road safety.
Enhancing ADAS with Driver Monitoring Systems
Lane departure warning systems serve as crucial components of ADAS, actively alerting drivers to potential lane deviations. But what causes this behaviour? Solely looking at ADAS events may not provide enough information. Driver fatigue or in-cabin distractions are often associated with unintentional lane departures. Driving Monitoring Systems (DMS) can detect these events and assist in reducing road incidents. The long term impact of combining both technologies is a change in driver behaviour.
In conclusion, the convergence of ADAS technologies like Mobileye marks a significant milestone in bus safety. By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence and advanced sensors, buses are transforming into safer, more reliable modes of transportation. As we look towards the future, let us embrace innovation and prioritise safety on our roads.