Performance Assessment of Prototype Seat Belt Misuse Detection System

Seat belt interlock systems are effective in increasing seat belt use in light vehicles. A seat belt interlock system determines if a vehicle occupant is not wearing the seat belt properly and, if seat belt misuse is detected, takes some action to limit the operation of the vehicle.  In 2016 NHTSA funded a project to develop a prototype system that could accomplish the seat belt misuse detection function of a seat belt interlock system. This report describes the testing of the resultant prototype seat belt misuse detection system to assess its performance in detecting improper seat belt use and summarizes the results.

Radar Congestion Study

As greater numbers of vehicles equipped with radar-enabled crash avoidance systems are on the road, the potential for mutual radar interference that affects their performance is increasing. This study describes the environment automotive radars operate in, especially as systems with greater autonomy enter the market.  Systems that operate well in environments without other radars may suffer significant degradation of performance in radar-congested environments. This researchs provide an understanding of the levels of interference expected under different scenarios, allowing identification of situations that could benefit from mitigation of radio frequency interference (RFI).  Many techniques mitigate RFI, and several are discussed. Some mitigation strategies rely on standards practiced by all transmitters in the environment. This study identifies candidate scenarios that may further benefit from RFI mitigation, and which mitigation strategies involve harmonization.
 

Development of Fit Envelopes To Promote Compatibility Among Vehicles and Child Restraint Systems

This project developed “fit envelope” spaces occupied by small, medium, and large rear-facing and forward-facing child restraints that can be used as tools for promoting compatibility between vehicles and child restraints. Thirty-one child restraints representing a range of sizes, manufacturers, and product types were scanned and installed in vehicles and measured in 10 late-model vehicles. Comparison of installed positions was done virtually using Hypermesh. To promote compatibility from the vehicle side, at least one rear-facing and one forward-facing envelope should be able to be installed in each vehicle rear seating position. Four sets of nesting boxes were built. For child restraint evaluation, the largest rear-facing and forward-facing envelope geometry can be modified with foam inserts to represent the medium and smaller sizes. For vehicle evaluation, a wooden base is installed in the vehicle using flexible LATCH belts. Different components are added to represent the small, medium, and large sizes. Test procedures have been drafted to describe setup of vehicles, child restraints, and the evaluation process.

A Framework for Automated Driving System Testable Cases and Scenarios

This report describes a framework for establishing sample preliminary tests for automated driving systems, focusing on light-duty vehicles with higher levels of automation, where the system is required to perform the full dynamic driving task, including lateral and longitudinal control, as well as object and event detection and response.

It took the first steps of partitioning the ADS performance space as a test framework of independent factors, and mapped forward refining the testing framework through methods of modeling, simulation, track testing, and open road testing. Outcomes included identifying tactical maneuver/competency behaviors from various sources; identifying the ADS operational design domains; and developing evaluation.

Functional Safety Assessment of a Generic Steer-by-Wire Steering System With Active Steering and Four-Wheel Steering Features

This report describes the research assessing the functional safety of foundational steering systems,. specifically, steer-by-wire (SbW) systems.

Functional Safety Assessment Of a Generic Electric Power Steering System With Active Steering and Four-Wheel Steering Features

This report describes the research effort to assess the functional safety of electric power steering (EPS) systems. This study also considers the additional active steering and four-wheel steering features, which are incorporated into some EPS systems.

Functional Safety Assessment of an Automated Lane Centering System

This report describes the research effort to assess the functional safety of a generic automated lane centering (ALC) system,. a key technology that supports vehicle automation by providing continuous lateral control to keep the vehicle Within the travel lane.

Functional Safety Assessment of a Generic, Conventional, Hydraulic Braking System With Antilock Brakes, Traction Control, and Electronic Stability Control

This report describes the research effort to assess the functional safety of foundational braking systems, specifically focusing on conventional hydraulic braking systems that includes antilock brakes, traction control and electronic stability control, which are typically included in current generation vehicles.

Functional Safety Assessment Of a Generic Automated Lane Centering System and Related Foundational Vehicle Systems

This report describes research to assess the functional safety of a generic automated lane centering (ALC) system and three related foundational systems --electric power steering (EPS), steer-by-wire (SbW), and conventional hydraulic braking (CHB). ALC systems are a key technology that supports vehicle automation by providing continuous lateral control to keep the vehicle within the travel lane.