Honda Research Institute USA is developing a road condition monitoring system that uses vehicle technology to evaluate road conditions to detect possible hazards.
The research institute helps road operators monitor lane marking conditions in a more frequent, efficient and cost-effective way with this vehicle-generated road condition reporting system, which can help fulfil Honda’s concept of ‘Safety for Everyone.’
The company said the Honda Research Institute is conducting a pilot programme in Ohio to evaluate a system that uses GPS coordinates and sensors such as cameras to collect real-time road condition information that can be shared with road operators. Honda is collaborating with the Ohio Department of Transportation and plans to start providing road condition data in early 2022 from Honda vehicles used as part of the pilot programme to help enhance the efficiency of the road maintenance operation in Ohio. Honda Research Institute also is exploring how connected vehicles can access the anonymised 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.
Paritosh Kelkar, Scientist, Honda Research Institute USA and project leader of the road condition monitoring system, said, “Maintaining good road conditions helps keep everyone sharing the road safe. 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.”
Lane Marking Classification
When monitoring lane marking conditions, the system visually classifies lane lines to the left and right of the vehicle using four-colour codes: green, yellow, grey and red. Green and yellow classifications respectively indicate ideal to a good lane marking conditions. The system displays grey classifications with no lane lines and red if the lane markings need repair.
That road condition information, including longitude and latitude coordinates and relevant images and video clips, is captured by the vehicle, anonymised, and then streamed to a secure platform for analysis. 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.
Jack Marchbanks, Director, Ohio Department of Transportation, said, “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. We’re excited to work with Honda to improve the process.”
In addition to lane markings, Honda Research Institute plans to expand the system’s application to monitor other types of road conditions. It hopes the system can prove useful in keeping all roads safer for everyone.