Technology to improve road safety

Road safety is a global priority, and technology has emerged as a crucial tool to reduce accidents, save lives, and create safer roads. With advances in artificial intelligence, sensors, and communication systems, driving has evolved significantly in recent years. Let’s look at how current and emerging technologies are revolutionizing road safety and contributing to a safer future for all users.

1. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)

The Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are technologies that assist drivers in real time, preventing accidents and minimizing risks on the road. These systems include functions such as automatic emergency braking (AEB)the pedestrian detectionand the lane keepingwhich are increasingly common in modern vehicles.

• Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB): This technology uses sensors and cameras to detect a potential collision and, if the driver does not react in time, automatically activates the brakes to avoid the impact or reduce the severity of the accident. According to safety studies, AEB can reduce rear-end collisions by more than 40%.
• Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keeping: These systems issue alerts if the vehicle deviates from the lane without activating the hazard lights and, in some cases, correct the path automatically. This technology is especially useful for preventing accidents due to drowsiness or driver distraction.

2. Autonomous Vehicles: The Future of Safe Driving

Autonomous driving is one of the most promising innovations to improve road safety. autonomous vehiclesequipped with artificial intelligence systems, radars and LiDAR sensors, have the potential to eliminate human errors, which are responsible for approximately 90% of traffic accidents.

• Level 3 and 4 vehicles: Although still in the development phase, the vehicles of level 3 and 4 They can operate completely autonomously under certain conditions. These cars are able to analyze their environment, make decisions in real time, and avoid accidents more accurately than a human.
• Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication platforms: This technology allows cars to communicate with each other and with road infrastructure, such as traffic lights and road signs. V2X communication It will help avoid collisions and optimize traffic, reducing congestion and the risk of accidents.

3. Driver Monitoring Systems

The distracted driving It is one of the main causes of traffic accidents worldwide. To combat this problem, new technologies have been developed driver monitoring systems that use cameras and sensors to detect signs of fatigue, distraction or drowsiness.

• Monitoring care: Sensors in the vehicle analyze the position of the driver’s eyes and head. If the system detects that the driver is not paying attention to the road or is drowsy, it issues an audible or visual warning, and some systems can even stop the vehicle in an emergency.
• Alcohol and drug detection: Some vehicles are equipped with sensors that can detect the level of alcohol in the air exhaled by the driver. If the levels are above the legal limits, the system blocks the ignition of the vehicle, preventing a person under the influence from driving.

4. V2V and V2I Technology: Vehicle to Vehicle Communication and Infrastructure

Communication technologies vehicle to vehicle (V2V) and Vehicle to Infrastructure (V2I) are revolutionizing the way cars interact with each other and their environment. These systems allow vehicles to share real-time information such as speed, position and traffic conditions.

• V2V: V2V technology allows vehicles to “talk” to each other to prevent collisions. For example, if a car brakes suddenly, it can send a signal to nearby vehicles to also slow down and avoid a crash.
• V2I: Communication with infrastructure includes interaction with traffic lights, road signs and weather stations. Vehicles can receive alerts about changes in traffic conditions, such as red lights or detours due to roadworks, helping to optimise driving and prevent accidents.

5. Night Vision Sensors and Cameras

Driving at night poses a greater risk due to the reduced visibilityTo mitigate this problem, modern vehicles are incorporating night vision technologies based on infrared sensors and thermal cameras.

• Night vision cameras: These cameras detect heat emitted by pedestrians, cyclists or animals on the road, providing a clear image to the driver, even in low visibility conditions. The technology can also issue alerts if it detects any objects or people in the vehicle’s path.
• Adaptive headlights: These systems automatically adjust the direction and intensity of the vehicle’s headlights based on the speed and curves of the road, improving visibility without dazzling other drivers.

6. Adaptive Cruise Control Systems

The adaptive cruise control systems (ACC) are an evolution of traditional cruise control. They use radar and cameras to detect the speed and distance of vehicles in front, automatically adjusting the car’s speed to maintain a safe distance.

• Advanced ACC: Some systems not only maintain the appropriate distance, but can also bring the vehicle to a complete stop if they detect stopped traffic, and resume driving when traffic clears. This is especially useful on busy roads and in slow-moving traffic conditions.

7. Technologies for Pedestrians and Cyclists

Road safety not only affects drivers and passengers, but also the pedestrians and cyclistswho are the most vulnerable road users. Multiple technologies are being developed to improve their safety.

• Pedestrian Detection: Pedestrian detection systems use cameras and radars to identify people on the road and alert the driver or activate the emergency braking if required.
• Smart pedestrian crossings: These crossings are equipped with sensors that detect the presence of pedestrians and adjust the timing of the traffic lights based on the flow of people, reducing the risk of accidents.

8. Smart Infrastructure

The smart road infrastructure is a vital part of future road safety. Installing sensors on roads, bridges and traffic lights can provide real-time information on traffic status and weather conditions, helping drivers make more informed decisions.

• Smart roads: These roads are equipped with sensors that detect dangerous conditions, such as ice or water on the surface, and send alerts to nearby vehicles to slow down. They can also monitor traffic flow to optimize traffic signals.