Safe-to-proceed system for an automated vehicle

Abstract

A safe-to-proceed system for operating an automated vehicle proximate to an intersection includes an intersection-detector, a vehicle-detector, and a controller. The intersection-detector is suitable for use on a host-vehicle. The intersection-detector is used to determine when a host-vehicle is proximate to an intersection. The vehicle-detector is also suitable for use on the host-vehicle. The vehicle-detector is used to estimate a stopping-distance of an other-vehicle approaching the intersection. The controller is in communication with the intersection-detector and the vehicle-detector. The controller is configured to prevent the host-vehicle from entering the intersection when the stopping-distance indicates that the other-vehicle will enter the intersection before stopping.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A safe-to-proceed system for operating an automated vehicle proximate to an intersection, said system comprising:
 an intersection-detector suitable for use on a host-vehicle, said intersection-detector used to determine when a host-vehicle is proximate to an intersection;   a vehicle-detector suitable for use on the host-vehicle, said vehicle-detector used to estimate a stopping-distance of an other-vehicle approaching the intersection; and   a controller in communication with the intersection-detector and the vehicle-detector, said controller configured to prevent the host-vehicle from entering the intersection when the stopping-distance indicates that the other-vehicle will enter the intersection before stopping.   
     
     
         2 . The system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the intersection-detector includes one of a digital-map, a camera, a lidar-unit, and a radar-unit. 
     
     
         3 . The system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the host-vehicle is equipped with headlights and a horn, and the controller is configured to flash the headlights and activate the horn when the stopping-distance indicates that the other-vehicle will enter the intersection before stopping. 
     
     
         4 . The system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the system includes a transmitter used to transmit a warning-signal, and controller is configured activate the transmitter to transmit the warning-signal when the stopping-distance indicates that the other-vehicle will enter the intersection before stopping.