A look into the transportation's future
Bryan Glass of Ballwin, Mo., a sophomore in computer science and computer engineering, and Michelle Vaughan of Chesterfield, Mo., a junior in computer science and computer engineering are researching the feasibility of automated transportation as part of an Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experiences (OURE) project. Here's how Bryan and Michelle describe their project:
Vehicular accidents are the leading cause of death for people between the ages of one and twenty-nine and account for 44.3 percent of all accidental deaths. Though technological advances have made driving more comfortable and safer, vehicles remain unchanged at their core. More safety devices than ever are available for personal vehicles, but as long as a person is behind the wheel there are limitations. Fatigue, distractions, medical problems, and inexperience may all lead to an increased chance of injury. As drive-by-wire driving systems become more popular, the advent of completely automated vehicles will become a distinct possibility. This technology would eliminate the human factor and provide many more options. Fuel consumption could be minimized by controlling speed through a computer. In many transportation systems, the conversion to autonomy also resulted in an increase in allowable speed. Road conditions, traffic, and construction can all be detected using sensors and a wide area connection.
In an effort to investigate the feasibility of automated transportation, a computer system with sensor inputs and a GPS receiver will be constructed. It will be able to detect lanes, the distance of objects in its proximity, their relative rates of change, and will know how to navigate from one location to another. Upon completion, the system will be analyzed to determine its safety as well as its processing time. These numbers will be compared to known information about current driving systems, and will either support or oppose the introduction of this technology.