Beginner driver support system for merging into left main lane

Abstract

On Japanese high-ways, sharp turn and merging areas are the critical points where the majority of accidents occur. A number of studies have therefore taken place to date on supporting safer driving in merge areas within a framework of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). Most of these studies, however, have assumed that drivers merge into the right main lane from the left lane because it is natural for Japanese drivers to do so, and in actuality those merge areas being rather prevalent in Japan. On actual roads, due to restrictions crossroads or the geographical conditions areas where drivers merge from the right lane into left main lane are also present. Cars in Japan are right wheel drive, thus it is difficult for a driver in a right driver's seat to monitor what is behind on the left. Monitoring left rear involves the motion of turning the body to the left, and at worst, a wheel turn to the left. This may cause a collision with other cars and, even if it is does not result in an accident, a stop or a slowdown, obstructing the following traffic. Beginner drivers find it particularly difficult to merge into the left lane. In this study, we suggest some technical skills that can be of support to beginner drivers when merging into the left main lane. As future work, we discuss a new driver support system that utilizes road-to-vehicle communication equipment via CCD-camera. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.