Abstract

The purpose of this project was to evaluate the educational level of the WPI
community on automobile safety devices and develop an interactive medium
through which visitors can establish a better understanding of the technology. An
interactive video presentation and museum exhibit were constructed together to
educate the community on the criteria of history, purpose, and functionality for
several major automotive technologies. The presentation component
incorporated pictures, videos, and diagrams to portray the educational material
about each technology, while the actual exhibit includes physical components
from each category to aide in visualization of these devices. This project produced
positive feedback from various members of the community as well as several
recommendations for future renditions of this project.
 Introduction

One of the most sophisticated technological advances on our planet has become
a crucial part of everyday human life. The progression and development of the
automobile has led to an increase in the dangers related to its operation. Today’s
modern vehicles are equipped with many devices that help prevent serious injury
in the event of a crash, or help avoid an accident all together. Most average
drivers may recognize the names of some common safety devices in their vehicle,
but many lack the knowledge of how these devices effectively work in providing
them with a safe driving experience each day.
When developing new vehicles this emphasized that the vehicle meets the safety
requirements. These requirements are set by valid regulatory acts, but also by
customers needs. In addition, vehicle manufacturers themselves are developing a
variety of safety features that are intended to increase the safety of the vehicle
[34,40,43]. The main purpose of vehicle safety is life and health of the vehicle
crew, but also other road users (pedestrians, cyclists, other vehicles, etc.). In
general, the goal is to minimize the likelihood of an accident and if this occurs, to
ensure protection of health and life. To achieve this goal it is possible to apply
different features that can be called safety of the vehicle.
 Objectives

 During harsh weather or tough road conditions that would

cause vehicle steering to be extreme, this technology allows the drivers to
regain control and prevent possible crashes, roll overs, and fishtails. This is
the system which allows drivers to exit hydroplanes safely.
 Identify several significant automobile safety devices and the technology
involved.
 Illustrate how each device works and distinguish the purpose of those
devices.
 To provide a medium in which the user can touch and see these devices
safely.

Methodology
This section will cover the procedure taken to utilize the background research
results derived to After performing research in the criteria of Automobile Safety
Devices, a project concept was developed to provide a solution to our problem.
To encompass the primary objective of this project, we have decided to create an
interactive display to provide this information to the public.
This interactive exhibit would be designed to fit into a variety of venues. This will
feature safety device hardware mounted to an exhibit with buttons that users can
press to find out more information about each device. There will be an LCD
display mounted in the center of the exhibit, which will feature exciting
presentations on each device with audio narration. There will be a laptop
powering the whole exhibit with an interface that allows the buttons to control
the presentation. The presentations will be created in flash format, which will
provide more flexibility and interfacing capabilities for the purpose of this project.
 Types of Automobile Safety Systems

[Link]-lock braking system (ABS) - Anti- [Grab your reader’s attention with a great
lock brakes, preventing the wheels from quote from the document or use this space to
locking during braking, allowing the emphasize a key point. To place this text box
anywhere on the page, just drag it.]
driver to maintain control of the
vehicle. Locked wheels cannot transmit
lateral guidance forces. The control unit
controls the ABS wheel-speed sensors
through a number of revolutions of all-
wheel vehicles.

2. Anti-Slip Regulation system (ASR) or [Grab your reader’s attention with a great
Traction Control System (TCR) - quote from the document or use this space to
prevents wheel spinning on slippery emphasize a key point. To place this text box
anywhere on the page, just drag it.]
surface, changing direction on
acceleration; Smarter systems are
capable on one axle torque split, if one
wheel is on a slippery surface and one
on the hard disk.

[Link]- An airbag is [Grab your reader’s attention with a great

a vehicle occupant-restraint system quote from the document or use this space to
using a bag designed to inflate emphasize a key point. To place this text box
anywhere on the page, just drag it.]
extremely quickly, then quickly deflate
during a collision. ... During a crash,
the vehicle's crash sensors provide
crucial information to
the airbag electronic controller unit
(ECU), including collision type, angle,
and severity of impact.
4. Seat Belts - Among drivers and front-seat passengers, seat belts reduce the risk
of death by 45%, and cut the risk of serious injury by 50%. Seat belts prevent
drivers and passengers from being ejected during a crash. ... More than 3 out of 4
people who are ejected during a fatal crash die from their injuries.

5. Electronic Stability Program (ESP) or Electronic Stability Control (ESC) -

Improves management control and automatically stabilizes the vehicle in all
situations. Electronic Stability Program identifies critical situations and prevents
the fact that the vehicle is deviating from the track. It should actively prevent
uncontrolled skidding of the vehicle and assist the driver to stabilize the vehicle if
it gets to skidding. It directly cooperates with ABS and ASR. It compares the
behavior of the vehicle with calculated values.

6. Blind Spot Monitoring (BLIS) or Blind Spot Detection – the blinds spot
monitoring system is checking the blind spot on both sides of the vehicle, where
the vehicle in the rear-view mirrors are difficult to see; so called blind spot, using
audio and visual alerts for the driver when moving into an occupied lane; more
modern systems are able to alert even of an rapidly approaching vehicle (from
rear).

7. Tyre pressure monitoring - manufacturers offer different systems to monitor

tire pressure, giving drivers early warning of loss of air pressure in the tyres; Most
commonly these systems are ITS (Intelligent Tyre System), TPMS (Tyre Pressure
Monitoring System) and DDS (Deflation Detection System) ITS system directly
measures the tyre pressure. It comprises a central receiver and four modules in
the tires, which are not powered by the battery. The modules measure the actual
pressure taking into account the tyre temperature. These data is wirelessly
transmitted to the receiver.

8. Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) or Lane Assistance (LA) - system that
control undesired Lane Departure Warning operates as a (light, sound, vibration,
etc.) when moving from lane to lane without indicating (in the case of lack of
attention.).

9. Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA) - the system can operate in three different
ways that differ in the intensity how they affect the speed; first and least invasive
way is a sound or video alert that warns the driver that he had exceeded the
speed limit; the second level is to create resistance against the accelerator (if the
system detects that the car goes faster than if should, it will create a pedal
pressure).

10. Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) - in addition to the main task (to maintain a
chosen speed) it monitors the space in front of the car and adjusts the speed to
traffic ahead; advanced systems in combination with the automatic transmission
are capable when entering into city traffic smoothly stop and restart while
maintaining the selected distance from the vehicle in the front. The system uses
the radar, infrared spectrum, visible spectrum, and ultrasound.

11. Advanced Emergency Braking Systems (AEBS) - the system warns the driver
using visual and audible signals when it is approaching an obstacle. If the driver
does not respond (or does not respond adequately) the system is able to
automatically activate the brakes and safely stop the car before colliding with the
obstacle.

12. Collision Avoidance System (CAS) - a system using radar to detect imminent
collisions; once the collision is detected, the system gives the driver warning and
in case of a collision without immediate action by the driver performs braking or
steering; the system uses the same sensors as Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC).
Some automakers warn of the event of a rear impact. Imminent collision activates
the rear warning light signal with increased frequency and this increased
frequency attracts the attention vehicles behind.

13. Adaptive Headlights (AHL) - automatically set up headlights to provide good

illumination of the road in all conditions for when entering curves and cornering
at a tight angle.

14. Vision Enhancement - uses infrared light that the human eye does not
perceive, and so it does not blind oncoming traffic; the system allows to identify
pedestrians, cyclists, parked cars and other obstacles along the way much faster.
There is an integrated infrared camera in the windscreen that records the image
of the road ahead and transmits it to the display. Some vehicle manufacturers
offer systems, which thanks to infrared light on dashboard display the night road
scene as illuminated and marks identified person; optional spot light flashes to
pedestrians at the roadside.
 Principles for assessing advance technology

There should be some principle in assessing the advanced technology like:

 Evidence of a potential to reduce the incidence and severity of road
crashes. This requires an understanding of the target class of crashes such
as proportion of the total crash problem, casual factors and distribution
amongst the road user population;
 High likelihood of community acceptance and support for widespread use
the equipment;
 Evidence of technological feasibility and successful and successful testing of
prototypes of the equipment involved;
 The equipment involved can be applied to existing vehicles.
 The cost of the equipments shall be nominal and easily acceptable by
normal users.
 The equipments produced from the technology shall not be complicated
and service shall be easily available. This only will lead to the success of the
technology and equipment.
 Benefits of advanced safety features, vehicle monitoring system

Benefits of Advanced Safety Features and Vehicle Monitoring Systems had been
studied at various countries ,according to Elvik et al. (1997), it is estimated that
feedback on speed using VMS and other measures can reduce 65% of pedestrian
crashes, 41% of injuries, and 16% of rear-end crashes. Project level studies include
TEC/ITS-France (2002), which surveyed various study results in Europe.
In the United Kingdom, 28% of the injuries were reduced, 10-30% in Germany and
35% of all crashes in Switzerland. Similarly, PIARC (2000) surveyed the accident
reduction by weather information systems in various countries, and reported an
average crash reduction of 30-40%.
The Benefit/cost ratios for selected technologies had been studied by PIARC had
been tabulated below , which clearly indicates that in almost all the cases the B/C
ratio is very good, certainly more than 1 and the value of human life which can be
saved is invaluable.
 Conclusion

If a revolution, through legislation, took place with a focus on automobile safety

then sure the accident rate would drop drastically resulting in fewer injuries,
maims and deaths on the roads. Indian consumers are not paying special
attention towards safety. This is because of the negligence and different kind of
mentality when compared with Europe or America which has to change. The
Government should insist insurance companies to give considerable discounts in
premium for the vehicles fixed with advance safety features. According to the
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Electronic stability control (ESC) could
prevent nearly one-third of all fatal crashes.
Though many insurers do grant lower premiums for safer cars and discounts for
safety equipment, however it is plausible that the current level of discounts
offered today by insurers is lower than is socially optimal. Granting lower
premiums and discounts for safer cars and safety devices would probably increase
consumer demand to these products, and thus the level of research and
development of new safety products would rise and accident fatalities will
reduce. Though new technologies may compensate for driver errors, it is
important that drivers be aware of the capabilities and limitations of systems. To
fully realize the benefits of new technologies, drivers need to learn to use them
and gain experience. Proper design is important to ensure that drivers are not
overwhelmed.
 References

 [Link]
 [Link]
 [Link]
 [Link]
 “Automotive Technology: Principles, Diagnosis, and Service” by James D
Halderman
 “Fundamentals of Automotive Technology: Principles and Practice” by Kirk
VanGelder
 “Automotive Embedded Systems Handbook (Industrial Information
Technology)” by Nicolas Navet and Francoise Simonot-Lion