Evaluation of Commercial Forward-Looking Infrared Driver Assistance Technology for Use in Emergency Tow Trucks and Snowplows

Details

• Creators:
  Shargh, Mohammad Mahdi Naddaf ; Lee, Andrew ; Yen, Kin ; Soltani, Iman
• Corporate Creators:
  Iowa State University. Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering ; Advanced Highway Maintenance and Construction Technology Research Center (Calif.)
• Corporate Contributors:
  California. Department of Transportation
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  Cameras Driver Support Systems Evaluation Highway Safety Infrared Analysis Laser Radar Optical Devices Policy Making Rain Snowplows Vehicle Detectors Visibility Weather Conditions Work Zones

  More +
• Publication/ Report Number:
  CA25-4128
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States
• Edition:
  Final Report: 08/01/2022- 02/28/2025
• Corporate Publisher:
  Advanced Highway Maintenance and Construction Technology Research Center (Calif.)
• Abstract:
  This report details the development and evaluation of an innovative component in a traffic management system that can enhance road safety during severe weather conditions. Severe weather conditions, such as dense fog, heavy rain, and snow, significantly hinder road safety by reducing visibility and increasing the risk of collisions, particularly for emergency vehicles like tow trucks and snowplows. These vehicles play a critical role in maintaining roadway accessibility during adverse weather, but their effectiveness is limited by the challenges of obstacle detection in low-visibility environments. Current driver assistance technologies, including optical cameras, LiDAR, and radar systems, face significant limitations in such conditions due to interference from weather elements. Infrared (IR) cameras, which detect thermal radiation rather than relying on visible light or laser reflections, offer a promising alternative for improving situational awareness and obstacle detection during adverse weather. This research evaluates the effectiveness of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) IR camera systems in enhancing driver safety and operational efficiency for snowplows and tow trucks during severe weather. Controlled and real-world testing, along with driver surveys, were conducted to assess the performance of IR-based Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) in detecting obstacles, such as pedestrians, animals, and vehicles, under low-visibility conditions. The findings provide insights into the viability of thermal imaging technology for emergency fleet operations, informing policymakers and transportation departments on this technology's potential to enhance roadway safety and efficiency during extreme weather scenarios.
• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  65A0749, Task 4128 ; UCD-ARR-25-02-28-01
• Collection(s):
  US Transportation Collection
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:6441dc8d37f45600491f75881afd943911c5dd33029e39b75cb5b1b70760da22697af373e4c43b885b8bd1d85c87ac0ef4bfa8f179289fe9609432309c60573f
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/87053/dot_87053_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 3.13 MB ]