Helmond: Advancing the technologies for Autonomous Vehicles

The Challenge

The city of Helmond has tested several times autonomous shuttle technologies but encountered some issues. In this context, Helmond aims to solve at least one of the following technologic problems during the experimentation.

•  When an AVs max speed is low (below 30 km/h) on a road with a 50 km/h speed limit overtaking by other vehicles, the safety must be ensured to avoid collision with other vehicles, and to ensure the safety of the passengers. The sensors are available, but they are not yet efficiently embedded in smart software. They are still learning the surroundings and they don’t always have an immediate reaction. For instance, when a pedestrian or car crosses the street, the AV should stop. However, when an overtaking car is close to the AV, the vehicle should not stop.
• There are issues when the AV must turn right (or left) at an intersection with blind/limited sight. The AV has problems in reacting with traffic signals, it could not recognise the signalisation of traffic (pedestrians, slow down, etc.). Therefore, the question is: How can digital infrastructure support AVs in getting a more complete picture of its environment?
• Problems in entering a roundabout. So, how can PDI support AVs in order to enter a roundabout safelytaking into account the speed of the other vehicles approaching the roundabout?
• Just after the roundabout other vehicles may turn right on a bypass lane. Then they merge on the main road with the traffic coming on their left (i.e. coming from the roundabout) on which the AV is driving. How to solve this issue.

Requirements: The vehicle that the start-up would use must be an already approved vehicle, allowed to drive in public road.