Pass/No Pass: Dynamic Road Prediction for Safe Overtaking

In this article the author describes a new automotive system designed to aid drivers in making decisions about overtaking other vehicles. Using a digital map along velocity and acceleration information from the vehicle and GPS information such as position, the system aims to inform drivers when passing is safe in unclear situations. This type of a system is particularly important on rural roads where 43 percent of all crashes occur. The system, known as dynamic pass prediction (DPP) or dynamic route information system, uses an electronic horizon (EH) to determine the vehicle's most probable path (MPP). A study was conducted to determine the efficacy of the system, with results indicating that the system does in fact enhance safety without interfering with normal driving behaviors. This is accomplished due to the system's information being given to the driver in a user-friendly head-up display (HUD).