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Drivers Can `See' Traffic Hazards With Wireless Warning System

22 February 2000

Drivers Can `See' Traffic Hazards With Wireless Warning System; Concept Described at SAE 2000 World Congress

    WARRENDALE, Pa., Feb. 22 -- Every year, thousands of
accidents occur because drivers can't see road hazards until they encounter
them.
    In a SAE 2000 World Congress paper, engineers from Robert Bosch GmbH will
describe a wireless vehicle-to-vehicle warning system (WARN) that alerts
drivers to road conditions one to two kilometers (.6 to 1.2 miles) in front of
them -- helping to prevent collisions and improve traffic flow.
    Bosch's prototype system transmits safety-related information from one
vehicle to surrounding vehicles by direct wireless communication. With WARN,
all relevant vehicles receive alert messages immediately from vehicles ahead
with enough advance warning to allow drivers to react smoothly and safely.
    Examples of alert messages might include: "Accident," "Traffic Jam," "Slow
Vehicle," "Watch Out," "SOS Need Help," "Road Work" or "Oversize Truck."
Drivers must then take appropriate actions such as decelerating, increasing
safety distance or paying maximum attention for the next few miles.
    The system consists of three main components: the WARN central processing
unit containing a transceiver and digital signal processing unit which is
connected to numerous vehicle sensors, an antenna connected by a coaxial wire,
and a message display.
    Although WARN is only a prototype, simulations show a significant increase
in safety when at least 10 percent of all vehicles on the road are equipped
with the system. WARN will soon be evaluated in a field trial to refine the
system.
    "Wireless Vehicle to Vehicle Warning System" will be presented at
2:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 8, Room D0-06 A&B, Cobo Center, Detroit, Michigan.
The paper is one of many in a session on intelligent transportation navigation
systems.
    To attend SAE 2000, the world's largest showcase of automotive engineering
technologies, visit http://www.sae.org or call 1-877-SAE-CONG (723-2664); outside the
U.S. and Canada, 1-724-772-4027.