In the second case, the vehicle will follow the cyclist adapting its speed and keeping at a distance from it should it fall or brake suddenly. In one case, the vehicle will overtake the pedestrian (because she walks out of the vehicle path) but at a reduced speed that would allow even when the pedestrian suddenly changes direction or falls not to hit her. This is the case when a pedestrian walks on the vehicle side or a cyclist rides in front of it. If any moving obstacle is detected too close to the ARTS vehicle, the vehicle slows down. The second safety area extends in front of the vehicle, on its sides and on its back.
This is a low-level function a simple switch as such this final safety is never affected by communication or external penetration or intelligence failure (prescription taken by the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC) making the system safer than any other on the street. The presence of any object large enough in this area triggers the emergency brake. The first, the emergency area, is in front of the vehicle, as large as the vehicle and as long as the deceleration space at emergency deceleration and the given speed (thus, its length changes with the speed). This is implemented creating two dumb safety areas. Variations to that are only consented to slow the vehicle when a moving obstacle is close or stop in case it is on the collision course. The vehicles need to follow a predesigned (and certified) trajectory with a precomputed driving cycle. The technology is much simpler (and safer). Daniele Stam, in Implementing Automated Road Transport Systems in Urban Settings, 2018 1.2.3 Definition of ARTSĪutomated road transport systems are systems, not only comprising vehicles but also comprising infrastructures, control systems (including communication, remote supervision and roadside sensing) and the vehicles themselves.ĪRTS vehicles are far from being autonomous they do not take any decision at design level, decisions have been taken from them, and should there be the need of an exception to the preprogrammed behaviour, the human supervisor needs to authorise the exception remotely from a control room.