Replacing side-view mirrors in trucks with integrated digital system to improve safety (DREAMS)

Abstract

Replacing rear-view mirrors on trucks by rear-view camera monitoring systems and in-vehicle monitors is expected to increase safety and reduce fuel consumption. This project generated knowledge on how such systems operate, if truck drivers find them useful and appealing, and to what extent they can improve traffic safety. Stoneridge’s camera-based rear-view mirror prototype mounted on a Scania truck served as a use case. The prototype includes cameras mounted close to the front corners of the truck cabin and in-vehicle monitors mounted in Apillars showing videos of the surroundings to truck drivers. An evaluation methodology has been developed and applied in tests at the test track AstaZero and on public roads. The evaluations involved both controlled and naturalistic experiments, as well as real-world use of the platform. These were conducted under various light and weather conditions and captured various traffic environments including urban, rural and highway driving. The evaluations showed that a high-level of safety and usability could be achieved, and provided valuable insights on further improvements of the prototype, which were later implemented within the project. A majority of the drivers found the prototype desirable and easy to get used to. The major safety advantages that they identified as compared to the conventional mirrors include: a) larger field of view, especially at intersections and roundabouts, b) direct visibility significantly improved, c) dirt from windshield does not affect visibility, and d) there is no need for body and head movements to increase field of view. Some of the drivers found that objects were too small on the monitors, especially on the passenger side, and that cameras reacted differently to different light sources. Some of the drivers expressed also a general anxiety for technical failures that may occur over the lifespan of the prototype. The project has also identified how expand the functionality of the prototype regarding driver support and automated driving. Several different concepts were suggested including: detection of vulnerable road users and other potential hazards in blind spots, free lane indication, estimation of distance to other vehicles and objects, and platoon monitoring. Examples of future research include further improvement of the prototype in terms of e.g., monitor placement and camera adaptability to different light sources, as well as further development and evaluation of the concepts providing additional functionality. The project was conducted by Stoneridge Electronics AB, Scania CV AB, and RISE Viktoria AB. It has increased technical maturity of Stoneridge’s camera-based rear-view mirror prototype and brought it closer to the market launch that is scheduled for 2018. It has also led to a general growth in innovation capacity in Sweden, and empowered strategic R&D activities and manufacturing in the country