ANNA — Honda Research Institute is conducting a pilot program in Ohio to evaluate a system that uses GPS coordinates and sensors, such as cameras, to collect real-time road condition information.
During this pilot program, Honda also is exploring how connected vehicles can access the anonymized data to adjust Honda and Acura Advanced Driver Assistance System’s (ADAS) perception settings, and, if needed, warn drivers if lane markings are faded or are in need of repair.
Beginning in early 2022, in collaboration with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), Honda plans to start providing road condition data provided from Honda vehicles. The goal of the data is to enhance the efficiency of the road maintenance operation in Ohio.
How it works
When monitoring lane marking conditions, the system visually classifies lane lines to the left and right of the vehicle using four color codes: green, yellow, grey, and red. Green and yellow classifications respectively indicate ideal to good lane marking conditions. The system displays grey classifications when there are no lane lines and red if the lane markings need repair.
That road condition information, including longitude and latitude coordinates along with relevant images and video clips, is captured by the vehicle, anonymized, and then streamed to a secure platform for analysis.
A video is available that helps better explain how the new technology works: https://youtu.be/Q5DhN1yCYk0.
How it helps Ohioans
Road operators can access this platform to identify the location, type, and severity of the road condition and hazard information and obtain a still image and video.
“We regularly inspect our roadways throughout Ohio and act quickly to address any issues, like faded or damaged pavement markings, that are identified. It’s a labor-intensive process. Good pavement markings are important to the drivers of today and the vehicles of tomorrow,” said ODOT director Jack Marchbanks. “We’re excited to work with Honda to improve the process.”
“Maintaining good road conditions helps keep everyone sharing the road safe,” said Paritosh Kelkar, scientist at Honda Research Institute USA, Inc. and project leader of the road condition monitoring system. “Real-time, high-accuracy roadway data captured from connected vehicles has the potential to improve the process of identifying, reporting, and more quickly repairing hazardous road conditions.”
Honda’s commitment to safety
Based on its vision for a collision-free society, Honda is working to improve safety for everyone sharing the road.
The company operates two of the world’s most sophisticated crash-test facilities in Ohio and Japan and is responsible for numerous pioneering efforts in the areas of crashworthiness, collision compatibility and pedestrian safety.
Other advanced safety features include Honda’s proprietary Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure and next-generation passenger front airbag technology, which are designed to provide a high level of collision protection for occupants.
Advanced active safety and driver-assistive systems found in Honda Sensing and AcuraWatch technologies, now on nearly 5 million vehicles on U.S. roads, are designed to reduce the frequency and severity of collisions while also serving as a technological and perceptual bridge to the more highly automated vehicles of the future.
In the future, in addition to lane markings, Honda Research Institute plans to expand the system’s application to monitor other types of road conditions.
About HRI-US
Honda Research Institute USA, Inc. (HRI-US) conducts research to solve complex problems with direct applications to Honda’s current and future technology roadmap and develops strategic partnerships with public and private institutions to foster innovation. HRI-US was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Silicon Valley.
Learn more at http://usa.honda-ri.com.
