TruckOn - Overhead Collision Prevention

When an over-height truck collides with a tunnel, overpass or enclosed bridge, everything comes to a grinding halt.  This is dangerous for the driver and other road users; costly for the Road Authority and the truck owner; and a major disruption for all road users as they wait for the accident to be cleared.  TruckOn is a forward-looking 'proof-of-concept' project to demonstrate how emerging wireless vehicle communication technologies could prevent accidents of this type.

Why bother?

Did the truck stop?  Not this time...

Collisions between over-height vehicles and infrastructure costs the Roads and Traffic Authority NSW (RTA) millions per year in repairs. There are approximately three collisions with infrastructure per month. Such accidents occur despite the deployment of sophisticated warning systems such as road side electronic ‘variable message’ signs or stop signs projected onto a ‘water curtain’ directly across the path of the vehicle. Drivers may think the message is for another road user, or may think they should be able to squeeze through.  Some drivers do not know the height of their truck — particularly if the load determines the height.

How does it work?

Warnings are regularly ignored: this over-height truck has driven through a stop sign projected onto a water curtain at the entrance to the Sydney Harbour Tunnel.

When an over-height vehicle breaks a height detection beam our road side control system uses wireless vehicle communications (Dedicated Short Range Communications - DSRC also known as M5) to transmit to all vehicles in the vicinity the GPS location and exact time when the beam was broken. It also sends a ‘map’ of the road ahead that includes: distance to the overhead infrastructure and location of a diversion (if available). Systems on board each vehicle process this information to determine if they were guilty of tripping the detector.  The guilty vehicle’s on-board system then begins transmitting its identity, speed and other tracking information to the road side controller.  Meanwhile, its on-board system also delivers warnings and advisories to the vehicle driver. These are tailored to the location on the road (e.g. distance to the infrastructure) and to the driver’s response.

If a driver ignores advice to take a diversion or pull over, then, as the distance to the infrastructure decreases, a speed control system progressively slows the vehicle until it halts short of the danger. The speed control is reset automatically by the driver taking a diversion or on remote command from a Transport Management Centre.

The Transport Management Centre is kept informed of vehicles that don’t comply with instructions or that need assistance to safely clear the area.

Future Proofing

The height of this truck depends on how its crane is stowed.

The on-board software is envisaged to work on a single common platform that can deliver a wide variety of safety and other useful applications that require Wireless Vehicle Communications via DSRC (and/or 3G) and GPS capabilities. Standardisation that supports this approach is already underway in the USA and Europe and demonstrations (of non over-height applications) have been conducted.

For example, in an Australian truck, the one platform could support, TruckOn, the Intelligent Access Program (IAP), RTA ‘Intelligent Speed Adaptation’ (ISA) systems, Navigation (GPS), Electronic Driver Diaries, Fleet Management, Port Access Scheduling, plus Rail Crossing Safety and other collision prevention applications.

Partners

Embedded Systems Australia industry cluster (www.embeddedsystemsaustralia.com.au) with NICTA’s support, made this project possible by arranging a grant from Industry & Investment NSW, workshops, and project discussions with the RTA.  The project was delivered by ESA members NICTA, Braetec, Cohda Wireless, CPE Systems and ResTech.

From Left: David Haley (Cohda Wireless), Philip Lark (Braetec), Heath Raftery (ResTech), Karina Taylor (CPE Systems), Neil Temperley (NICTA), Peter Stepien (ResTech), Tim Wylie (ResTech).

Nima Alam (UNSW).

From Left: Stuart Pringle (RTA), Bonnie Chen (RTA), Raed Dabid (RTA), Neil Temperley (NICTA).

Sponsors and Supporters

This project has been supported by a $100,000 grant from Industry and Investment NSW matched by cash and in-kind resources of the RTA.  Microsoft has assisted with sponsorship, and The Warren Centre provided assistance during the project’s inception.

It is a truly collaborative project with all partners contributing significant in-kind support.

Examples

The following scenarios indicate what the driver sees and hears.

In cabin screen.  Above the red line are visuals intended for the driver.  Below the red line are the speed limiter simulator and diagnostics, which would normally be hidden from the driver.

Scenario 1 — Ignore all warnings!

The driver ignores the advisory to take the Diversion (Exit) and proceeds towards the overhead infrastructure. 

Visual

There are two different visual symbols when the vehicle is moving: one for ‘upstream’ of the Diversion and a second for ‘downstream’ — when a Diversion option does not exist.  When the vehicle is halted, the symbol is replaced with advisory text.

Audio

There are four different audio messages.  When travelling slowly, each message is repeated regularly, when travelling fast, a message may be skipped in favour of the most relevant message.

Status

• Upstream Warning — The driver is warned and advised to take the Diversion/Exit.  (At high speeds the vehicle is slowed by the speed limiter a small amount to reinforce the warning).
• Downstream Warning — It is now too late to take the Diversion.  The driver is now advised to pull over.
• Downstream Safety — The driver has ignored warnings and the danger has increased.  The system now progressively slows the vehicle to avoid a collision ahead. 
  Note: The beginning of the ‘Safety Intervention’ zone is determined by the vehicle type — to give it sufficient room for gradual deceleration to a halt.  In this zone the vehicle’s maximum speed is reduced as the distance to the hazard reduces.  If the driver still attempts to proceed, the vehicle slows to a halt a preset distance from the infrastructure.
• Halted — The vehicle has been slowed to a halt, or the driver has pulled over.  Details are provided to the driver on next actions.
• Manual Reset (not shown) — After an RTA road crew has arrived to clear the truck the ‘Transport Management Centre’ issues a Reset command to restore speed control and turn off tracking.
  Audio: “Speed control restored.  For enquiries phone the RTA on 131 700.”

Scenario 2 — The driver takes the Diversion/Exit

The driver acts on the advice to take the Diversion (Exit). 

Status

• Upstream Warning — The driver is warned and advised to take the Diversion/Exit.  (At high speeds the vehicle is slowed by the speed limiter a small amount to reinforce the warning).
• Diversion — The system detects that the driver has taken the Diversion.
• Reset — The driver has proceeded along the Diversion out of the area.  The system automatically resets; speed control is restored and tracking is turned off.

Enquiries

For enquiries please contact

• Neil Temperley, Neil [dot] Temperleynicta [dot] com [dot] au, Ph: +61 2 9376 2163 or
• Stuart Pringle, Stuart_Pringlerta [dot] nsw [dot] gov [dot] au, Ph: +61 2 8837 0307.

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20100705-TruckOn Brochure.pdf	29/10/10 11:49 am	734.46 KB

TruckOn Photo Gallery - Site Setup

We conducted initial trials during May and June 2010 using a Toyota HiLux fitted with a vertical pipe to extend its height. In late June we refitted the equipment to a Mitsuibishi Fuso truck for a stakeholder demonstration dayon 8th July, 2010.

These photos show some of the setup for early trials.  The project was a 'proof-of-concept' with all equipment installed on a temporary basis.  The equipment does not represent the look of a final product.

We marked out a straight 'road' using witches hats, with an imaginary overhead obstruction (bridge or tunnel) straight ahead.  About 2/3 of the way along, we added a side road 'diversion' which led away from the danger.  This was the path the driver was advised to take.  If the driver did not take the diversion the vehicle was slowed to a halt short of the danger (simulated).

Here is a sattelite view of the test site.

View Larger Map

Click on an image below for a larger version and for a slideshow.

TruckOn Photo Gallery - Demonstration Day

Below are photos taken from the TruckOn 'Demonstration Day' on 8th July, 2010. 

The TruckOn team provided a live demonstation of the sytem using a Mitsuibishi Fuso truck to RTA, industry and government stakeholders. 

Drivers may not know the height of their truck, particularly if the height is determined by the load or a fitted crane.  An unstowed crane is a common cause of over-height vehicle collisions.  The truck we used for the demonstration had such a crane mounted at its rear.  We set up the system such that when the crane was not properly lowered and stowed, the crane arm triggered the over-height detector. 

Our guests took turns to ride in the truck and experience the system in action directly.  Meanwhile, remaining onlookers heard the in-cabin audio warnings which were wirelessly relayed to road-side speakers.

Click on an image below for a larger version and for a slideshow.

Over-height Vehicle Collision Photo Gallery

Here are some examples (mostly off the web) of over-height vehicles colliding with over-head infrastructure.  Sometimes drivers are not fully aware of the height of their vehicles, because the load determines the height. 

Warning systems, even sophisticated ones, regularly get ignored.

Over-Height Vehicles Collisions with Infrastructure

Location	When	Comment	Text	Photo/Video
Australia, NSW, Burwood	2010-07-05	Truck collides with rail bridge.	www.dailytelegraph.com.au	www.dailytelegraph.com.au
Australia, NSW, Grafton	2009-07-22	Truck collides with rail bridge.	www.smh.com.au www.dailytelegraph.com.au	www.smh.com.au www.dailytelegraph.com.au
Australia, NSW, Grafton	2010-09-29	Truck collides with rail bridge.	www.dailyexaminer.com.au	www.dailyexaminer.com.au
Australia, NSW, Maitland	2009-03-05	Truck collides with pedestrian bridge.	www.smh.com.au currentaffairs.ninemsn.com.au	www.smh.com.au currentaffairs.ninemsn.com.au
Australia, NSW, Sydney, M2 Tunnel	2008	Trucks on their way to a collision with a tunnel.	N/A
Australia, NSW, Sydney, M5 Tunnel	2010-05-08	Truck's load collides with tunnel.	news.ninemsn.com.au www.news.com.au www.abc.net.au
Australia, NSW, Sydney Airport Tunnel	2009-03-26	Truck collides with tunnel.	news.ninemsn.com.au	news.ninemsn.com.au
Australia, NSW, Sydney Harbour Tunnel	2010-01-20	Truck ignores stop warning projected onto water curtain.	N/A
China		Truck with dump tray raised collides with overpass.	www.telegraph.co.uk	www.telegraph.co.uk
France		Truck collides with tunnel.	www.citizenside.com	www.citizenside.com
Turkey, Istanbul	2010-01-25	Truck with dump tray raised collides with pedestrian footbridge.	www.youtube.com
UK, Staffordshire	2008-11-15	Truck's load collides with overpass.	www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk	www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk
USA, Kansas	2006-02-14	Truck's load collides with overpass.	www.slideshare.net	www.slideshare.net
Germany?	2008?	Truck with dump tray raised collides with overpass.	www.youtube.com
USA?		Truck with dump tray raised collides with sign.	failblog.org
USA	N/A	Multiple incidents.	www.11foot8.com www.youtube.com

Wireless Vehicle Communications via DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communications)

What is Wireless Vehicle Communications via DSRC?

DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communications) is a technology that enables vehicle to vehicle and vehicle to infrastructure communications in very short time frames (faster than human response). It's primary application is safety, e.g. collision avoidance. In effect it enables vehicles to 'see around corners', over hills and beyond visual obstructions to know all about the movements of surrounding traffic.  Each vehicle can 'watch' and communicate with all vehicles for more than 100 m in all directions as well monitor the status of traffic lights, variable speed signs etc.  Similarly, it enables infrastructure to know about the traffic and communicate with vehicles. 

Intervention to Avoid Accidents

DSRC uses GPS for positioning and can be connected to the vehicle's driving controls (the 'CAN bus') for intervention, e.g. to automatically apply brakes to prevent a collision or to prevent a driver crossing a level crossing when a train is approaching.  It is the only wireless technology suitable for applying intervention to prevent accidents.

DSRC Road Map

DSRC has already undergone extensive testing overseas and is on the roadmap for car manufacturers. Australia already has an industry cluster seeking to secure the spectrum for DSRC see www.AusDSRC.com.au.

Why be involved in a DSRC demonstrator project?

Some of the reasons to get involved include the following.

• Strategic planning.
• Early involvement means you get to influence the design and development priorities of DSRC in Australia.
• Publicity as being a forward-thinking company.
• Competitive advantage and experience with an emerging technology.
• Working with government support.  The NSW Dept of State and Regional Development has made available $100,000 for a DSRC demonstrator project in Transport and Logistics.

For more information contact Neil Temperley Neil [dot] Temperleynicta [dot] com [dot] au.

One Communications 'Channel' to Rule Them All

There are a variety of wireless technologies that enable, communications with, and tracking of, trucks.  Each is usually specifically configured for just one application.  DSRC however, is a fundamental part of a broader standards initiative called CALM (Communications, Air-interface, Long and Medium range) which enables interoperability between all forms of communication an operator might make with a truck.

For a properly equipped truck, this provides access to all information of interest via the one communications technology/channel, such as:

• Driver information: name, driver diary, driver behaviour, time until next fatigue stop.
• Load information: goods, condition and destination.  The technology could be integrated with a RFID tag attached to a container for example.
• Truck information: location, destination, maintenance status, fuel, efficiency, emissions.

Allows flexible addressing of communications

Examples include:

• Message addressed to the driver of whichever truck is carrying container XXX.
• Message to all trucks of fleet owner XXX which are within 1 km of port YYY.

Acknowledged communications

Every message is acknowledged by the system as having being received.

Applications

DSRC has more than 100 identified applications. While DSRC's primary focus is  safety applications, it has many other applications from payment systems, scheduling, finding parking spots to movie downloads. Where necessary it can be combined with mobile phone technologies 3G/HSPA/GPRS for data backhaul to centralised systems.

DSRC 'unlocks' a variety of new applications related to trucks as outlined in the following sections.

Infrastructure Protection

The technology uses intervention to prevent oversize vehicles entering tunnels and overweight vehicles crossing bridges, e.g. driver is warned well in advance and the truck progressively slows as the driver approaches the no-go zone.

Railway Safety

The system prevents trucks crossing level crossings when trains are approaching.

Transit Lane Sharing

The concept it to enable trucks to share lanes with buses such that the buses are not impeded. The trucks are given advisory speeds and told when to temporarily leave the lane.

Port Traffic Management

DSRC is ideal for this. Road side units can address special messages to all trucks in particular zones around the the port and/or to all trucks of a particular company.  Integration with electronic tags on containers, e.g. RFID, would enable containers to be tracked and messages to be directed to drivers carrying particular loads.

Emissions and Fuel Reduction

DSRC can reduce stop/start by giving advisory speeds to vehicles approaching red lights or halted traffic. It enables local and city-wide coordination between traffic lights and traffic to minimise emissions.

Infrastructure Usage Pricing

Tolls are applied on location or road usage and or time, e.g. congestion based pricing and the Intelligent Access Program.

Tolling

DSRC is a logical and more flexible replacement for toll tags.

Platooning

Intervention coordinates vehicles to move in very close groups, thus maximising through-put and reducing wind resistance, i.e. reducing fuel consumption.

DSRC Uptake

While DSRC is on the roadmap for many countries and car manufacturers, uptake will be gradual.  Furthermore many applications require a high DSRC uptake to be really effective, e.g. collision avoidance.  In the meantime there is an excellent opportunity to explore and develop applications tailored to the Australian environment.