!NEW! Opel and UR:BAN: Making urban driving safer and more efficient

• Cognitive assistance systems increase safety
• Networking of vehicles and infrastructure in urban traffic
• Urban-appropriate human-machine interaction

Smart intersection: Car-to-X information about the phasing of traffic lights and the traffic situation, sent to the car via Wi-Fi from the traffic management infrastructure and other vehicles, can help to generate recommendations for driving at intersections. Communicated to the driver via an intuitive human-machine-interface, this information can enable the driver to approach and cross the intersection comfortably, safely and energy-efficiently, preferably without stopping.

Driving a car in towns or cities means a coexistence of various road users and means of transport. It also means coping with a complex traffic situation and a high density of activities.

Expert teams at Opel developing innovative assistance systems to increase efficiency and safety in urban transport are participating in the UR:BAN research project (user oriented assistance systems and network management). The goal of the partly German government funded project is to provide drivers of passenger cars and commercial vehicles with forward-looking support, tailored and customized to driving in urban traffic. Thirty-one partners from the automotive industry, electronics and software companies, together with research institutes and local authorities, are developing intelligent assistance and cooperative traffic management systems.

The results and findings obtained so far were delivered today in the UR:BAN mid-term presentation at the Deutsche Zentrum für Luft - und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR – German Center for Air and Space Travel) in Braunschweig, Germany.

The on-going, until 2016, UR:BAN research project, is divided into three pillars: "Cognitive Assistance", "Networked Traffic System", and "Human Factors in Traffic". "Opel is a partner in all three project pillars", explains Michael F. Ableson, Member of the Management Board and GM Europe Vice President, Engineering. "The focus is always on the human being. Teams of engineers, physicists and traffic psychologists are exploring assistance in difficult situations, the intelligent networking of vehicles and infrastructure, driver behavior, and the appropriate human-machine interaction for urban driving."

Cognitive Assistance - Collision avoidance by evading and braking

Especially in urban traffic, difficult situations can occur where the driver may not react in time. This is where the sub-project "collision avoidance by steering and braking" comes in. The Opel team is developing an advanced driver assistance system that takes advantage of the extra road space created by steering intervention to implement an additional situation-specific evasion. This system should help avoid collisions with vehicles and pedestrians in inner-city traffic.

At the mid-term presentation, Opel will show a demonstration vehicle equipped with advanced camera and radar, complemented by modified braking and steering systems, which allow an intervention in the control over the vehicle. Consideration of the driver’s reaction represents an important criterion for the optimization of the intervention strategy. In addition, Opel will integrate the latest findings of human-machine interaction and driver intention detection in the demonstration vehicle.

Networked Traffic System - Smart intersection

Information sent to the vehicle via Wi-Fi from the traffic management infrastructure and other vehicles can help to generate recommendations for driving at intersections, which an intuitive Human-Machine-Interaction  (HMI) can communicate to the driver. This could enable the driver to approach the intersection comfortably, safely and energy efficiently and preferably cross without stopping. This optimization and the further development of car-to-X technology specifically for driving in an urban environment is presented within the framework of UR:BAN.

HMI display in Opel Insignia - Optimized speed for approach he intersection comfortably, safely and energy efficiently and preferably cross without stopping.

In this part of the project, Opel is building on many years of experience in the field of car-to-X communication, as shown in projects such as the successfully completed SIM-TD field test. A networked traffic system and cooperative driving will enable the future step from the mere exchange of information to the joint action of all relevant actors.

Human Factors in Traffic – The appropriate HMI for urban driving

Within UR:BAN, an Opel team is working on improving technical systems. However, the information gained by the new technical systems can only improve driving and safety when drivers also know how to deal with the newly won information and how to react correctly. The focus of the sub-project “Human-Machine Interaction” (HMI) therefore is the way humans experience the behavior of driver assistance systems. In the foreground is interdisciplinary teamwork, with psychologists, engineers and physicists collaborating on the development and implementation of new technology elements to communicate with the driver.

Important questions addressed here include what information content do drivers need in order to follow a driving strategy; or what forms of representation motivate drivers to use a system; and how to avoid driver distraction. The experts test the influence of the assistance systems in various simulators and in real traffic, under controlled conditions.

The evaluation of the objective and subjective data provides the basis for the evaluation of system design and layout. Assistance systems that optimally support the user in his driving behavior are then integrated, in close cooperation with the other sub-projects.

Human Factors in Traffic - Behavior prediction and intention recognition

Understanding driver behavior can help to optimize the warning strategy of the man-machine interface of assistance systems. Opel’s target in the sub-project "behavior prediction and intention recognition" is therefore to develop an algorithm to detect driver intention using standard vehicle sensors. This allows a prediction of driver behavior in difficult driving situations.

The algorithm should identify, at an early stage, future avoidance maneuvers or emergency braking situations. Extensive testing and test data records show that, before maneuvers begin, specific behavior patterns and characteristics in the transverse and longitudinal guidance of the vehicle show up with all drivers. More than 50 volunteers completed a specific drive route under controlled conditions, where they encountered unexpected situations and the resultant maneuvers.

Based on the tests, the Opel team expects to predict whether the driver can mitigate an emergency situation through steering or braking. This information can help to adapt appropriate warning and intervention strategies beneficial for the sub-project "collision avoidance by evading and braking". If the system detects that the driver alone can mitigate a difficult situation, it can delay or suppress a driver warning.

!NEW! Opel Leads Field Test: Vehicle Communication Improves Traffic Safety and Efficiency

Opel has overall responsibility for the 1.6 million test kilometers covered

sim^TD project: Results of one of the world’s largest Car-to-X field tests

Weather warning function increases road traffic safety 

         Opel Insignia Sports Tourer - sim^TD test vehicle

The results of one of the world’s largest field tests to enhance traffic safety and efficiency by using vehicle communication (Car-to-X) have now been presented in Frankfurt. In the sim^TD project (Safe Intelligent Mobility – Field Test Germany), Opel joined forces with 17 consortium partners to test the functionality, everyday suitability and efficacy of Car-to-X communication for the first time in real-life conditions. The vehicles in the test were electronically linked to each other and with the infrastructure. This enabled the exchange of information about, for example, weather and road conditions between vehicles, as well as between vehicles and the traffic infrastructure and environment.

Opel Insignia Sports Tourer with integrated Car-to-X technology

Describing the results of the project, Dr. Burkhard Milke, Opel Director Electric/Electronic Engineering, said: “In the field test, led by Opel in liaison with our partners, we were able to prove that traffic behavior can be positively influenced by the sim^TD functions. Traffic safety and efficiency were measurably increased. After a comprehensive survey of the more than 300 test drivers, it is also clear that the added value of Car-to-X technology for safe, relaxed and efficient driving was confirmed. As a result, wide market acceptance of the technology is expected.”

Since 2009, research has been conducted on the conditions necessary for a sustainable increase in traffic efficiency and safety under the project name “Safe and Intelligent Mobility – Field Test Germany” (sim^TD). The test fleet from all manufacturers, launched in 2012, comprised 120 vehicles and three motorcycles, which were all equipped with the same sim^TD technology for scientific comparability. With up to 120,000 test kilometers per week, over 1,650,000 kilometers were covered in more than 41,000 hours of driving during the field test. In addition, driving and traffic simulation tests were also conducted and compared to the real-life results.

Weather warning: An example of best communication networking

Among many other functions, Opel tested a new weather warning feature during the project. “Weather warnings and road condition reports are excellent examples of the connection between Car-to-X communication and the HMI (Human Machine Interface),” says Dr Milke. “They are at the top of drivers’ wish list for future communication systems. With the new generation of infotainment systems now offered in the Opel ADAM and to be presented at the IAA in the new Opel flagship Insignia, the technological foundation has been laid for stronger in-car connectivity with Car-to-X communication. But the concentrated establishment of a corresponding road and traffic infrastructure will be decisive for the commercial deployment of this technology. Opel will continue to play a large role in this.”

The road weather stations located in the field test vicinity, which already provide detailed information – used, for example, by road gritting trucks – communicate with existing vehicle sensors such as the rain sensor to issue warnings on adverse weather conditions. The critical parameters monitored were dew points, road surface temperatures, fog conditions and rainfall. The Human-Machine-Interface, used by all partners in the field test, was developed by DFKI, the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence.

Downloads: simTD technology leaflet (ENG)

                     simTD technology Prospekt (GER)

Opel leads fleet testing of SimTD research project

• Sim^TD: One of the world’s largest Car-to-X field tests starting in Hesse
• Milestone for implementation of vehicle communication
• Road weather warning function: Research for increased traffic safety
  
  
  

  The enhancement of individual mobility towards even more safety, efficiency and environmental compatibility is one of the major challenges facing society. In the process, connecting automotive road users with each other (Car-to-Car) and with their environment (Car-to-X) is becoming increasingly important. The start of the test phase of the Sim^TD project (“Safe Intelligent Mobility – Test Field Germany”) in Hesse is a milestone towards the implementation of this type of vehicle communication.
  
  “The results of the joint Sim^TD project will set the trend for all of Europe. With the launch of the Sim^TD pilot project, one of the largest global field tests in Car-to-X communication is now beginning,” says Dr. Burkhard Milke, Opel Director Electric/Electronic Engineering adding, “Cars learn to exchange data according to standardized rules. They also learn to process the transmitted data in such a way that they can quickly and reliably filter and display information important to the driver. In the past Opel was able to lay the foundations for Car-to-X technologies in projects such as DIAMANT. These findings will be taken into account when we now take on the baton from Continental after successful test preparations and assume leadership of the fleet testing within Sim^TD.
  
  After several years of intensive preparation, the test phase will begin in the greater Frankfurt am Main area with a fleet of 120 vehicles from German car makers. The field test will last until the end of the year and include various studies on Car-to-Car technology and its impact on increasing traffic safety and efficiency. Around 450 test drivers will take part. During the test drives, millions of communication events will be generated in order to exchange data. Within the test fleet, 20 Insignia Sports Tourers equipped with state-of-the art equipment for vehicle communication are participating.
  
  
  The data compiled from the tests will be analyzed in close consultation with the University of Würzburg and the Technical University of Munich, whereby the universities will also ensure a good statistical cross section of drivers and test routes. The latter were chosen in close cooperation with the city of Frankfurt am Main and Hessen Mobil. The home base for all field test vehicles is a test fleet base on an industrial compound in Frankfurt Höchst. The fleet is controlled by the Drive Center near the Hessian Traffic Control Center.
  
  
  At the top of the wish list: Road weather warning
  Among the many aspects tested in the context of Sim^TD, the development of the road weather warning function, for which Opel is responsible, plays  a central  role. According to studies, this information is at the top of drivers’ wish list. Road weather warnings combine real time data on road conditions and the weather report with warnings about hazardous weather conditions such as heavy rain, fog or cross wind. This data is of great added value to drivers and lead to a significant increase in traffic safety.
  
  
  Four road weather information stations located in the field test vicinity, which are already providing detailed information, for example for road gritting trucks, lay the foundations for the test. The critical parameters being monitored are the dew point and road surface temperature. Based on this data, site-specific warnings are generated and displayed in the vehicles. The HMI (Human-Machine-Interface) used by all partners for the field test was developed by DFKI, the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence.  
  
  

  The Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi), the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development (BMVBS) provide funding for sim^TD, because this consortium has the potential to promote a new dimension of foresighted driving, traffic control, and accident avoidance. The ministries are convinced that a commonly agreed standard is essential for the commercial deployment of this pace-making technology. sim^TD is a joint project initiated by leading German automakers, automotive suppliers, communication companies and research institutes, together with assistance from the public sector.

  
  

  Project partners are as follows: Adam Opel AG, AUDI AG, BMW AG, BMW Forschung und Technik GmbH, Daimler AG, Ford Forschungszentrum Aachen GmbH, Volkswagen AG, Robert Bosch GmbH, Continental, Deutsche Telekom AG, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V., Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Künstliche Intelligenz GmbH (DFKI), Technische Universität Berlin, Technische Universität München, Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft des Saarlandes, Universität Würzburg, Hessisches Landesamt für Straßen- und Verkehrswesen, Stadt Frankfurt am Main. The project is promoted and supported by the German Federal Ministries of Economics and Technology (BMWi), Education and Research (BMBF), Transport, Building and Urban Development (BMVBS), and also by the federal state of Hesse, the German Association of the Automotive Industry and the Car 2 Car Communication Consortium. BMWi, BMBF and BMVBS support simTD with approximately 40 million euros, the other project partners contributes approximately 31 million euros.
  
  
  Further information on the project can be found at http://www.simTD.de
  
  This work was funded within the project Sim^TD by the German Federal Ministries of Economics and Technology as well as Education and Research, and supported by the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development.