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Future design of road markings for automated driving

Background

The potential of connected and automated driving (CAD) for the road traffic sector are seen with regard to improving road safety and traffic efficiency as well as reducing vehicle emissions. This raises the question which feasible adaptations of the physical road infrastructure could be used to support the introduction of automated systems. For example, road markings will be of great importance for CAD in the foreseeable future: the cross-positioning of automated vehicles is largely based on the detection of road markings with cameras and sometimes other sensors such as lidar. The properties of lane markings relevant for machine detection as well as minimum requirements for their design and availability are still largely unknown. The rapid progress in the field of vehicle automation and legislation justifies the need for a neutral and scientific approach to this topic.

Research project

With the research project "Analysis of influencing factors and parameters for the automated detection of lane markings" (FE 03.0581/2019/ERB), BASt addresses the question of how road markings can be reliably detected by both human drivers and automated vehicles.

Road markings at night. On the right, the automated identification is highlighted in colour. Machine detection of road markings when driving at night: original image on the left and with automated identification of the road marking on the right (Images: ISAC GmbH, Aachen)

Aims of the research project

  • To increase the understanding of machine detection of road markings using in-vehicle sensors such as cameras and lidar.
  • Creation of knowledge about which features and minimum qualities of road markings are relevant for the machine detection and how these relate to the needs of the human driver.

Monitor on which detection is displayed. Detection of road markings with lidar during a driving test with a research vehicle of the fka GmbH (Photo: BASt)

Activities of the BASt

Based, among other things, on the results of the research project, BASt is involved in the ongoing technical discussion at European and national level:

  • The European Expert Group on Road Infrastructure Safety (EGRIS), SG 1 "Road Markings & Signs" is examining whether the functionality of driver assistance systems can be improved with common minimum standards for road markings.
  • A subgroup of CEN/TC226/WG2 is examining the question if and how the European standard EN 1436 for road markings could be further developed in order to take into account the aspect of machine detection.
  • A working group of the Road and Transportation Research Association (FGSV), is currently working on the development of recommendations for road markings for CAD.

Contact

Dr. Jan Ritter
E-Mail: Ref-V4@bast.de