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Mobility

Advanced Driver Assistance System for Trams and Metros

Published: 11/03/2023

Partner(s): Hitachi Rail STS, ANM, University of Salerno

Year(s): 2021-2023

Our prototype HORA (Hitachi autonOmous stReet cArs) aims to revolutionize public rail transport by introducing cutting-edge technology supporting safe, efficient, and increasingly autonomous tram operation.

 

Motivation

Within the complex multi-modal environment of busy urban areas, trams often share roads with a variety of other users, including cars and trucks. Other users, such as pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists, are highly likely to be harmed should a collision occur with a tram. As trams increasingly provide an important part of a more sustainable urban transport solution, the frequency and severity of tram related collisions should not be underestimated.

To ensure optimal safety in this congested environment, tram drivers are required to monitor multiple operationally critical areas simultaneously. These include the area in front of the tram, and along its length, the doors during boarding and alighting of passengers, and known blind spots.

When combined with performing all other required driving activities, these monitoring tasks can become overwhelming and lead to a reduction in overall operational safety. It is no surprise that despite suitable training and resourcing, human errors are the most frequent cause of tram accidents.

However, studies confirm that a 30% reduction in accidents of this type can be achieved by adopting suitably functional Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). Our prototype HORA has been designed to deliver against this requirement.

To understand our clients’ needs, Hitachi European R&D conducted an ethnographic and ergonomic study with a diverse set of tram drivers to define required supportive ADAS features and functions. These included enhanced hazard detection across occluded areas.

 

Development and Implementation

Hitachi European R&D, in co-creation with Hitachi Rail STS, has developed a generalised predictive perception and effective hazard warning system for trams that ensures safer public transport and enhanced network efficiency.

The system has been integrated onto an operational tram operated by Hitachi Rail’s customer ANM (Neapolitan Mobility Company).

 

Sensor setup on customer’s tram (a) and sensor coverage around the tram (b)

Our prototype HORA ADAS combines a state-of-the-art sensor setup, with an advanced predictive perception algorithm. This enables the tram to detect and track objects continuously, delivering realtime predictions of potential hazards that may be partially occluded and not easily seen from the tram’s cabin.

When required the HORA system alerts the tram driver via its intuitive human machine interface located in the tram’s cabin.

In this way HORA provides a new source of immediately accessible information to support the driver’s decision-making and ensure correct responses to potential dangers.

 

Testing and Validation in Napoli, Italy

Rigorous testing and validation were conducted to ensure the system’s reliability and effectiveness. This included real-world testing in Napoli, a city with complex traffic flow, blind-spots, and pedestrian crossing scenarios.

With HORA’s state-of-the-art sensor package providing a continuous situational data feed, our advanced predictive perception algorithm accurately predicts emerging hazards, including occluded pedestrians, objects in blind spots, or simultaneous dangers from multiple directions. HORA’s alert functions then effectively convey this critical information to the tram driver.

Experienced drivers at ANM confirm they found our prototype HORA very supportive and a useful new tool in their day-to-day tram operations.

A pedestrian crossing the tramway is occluded by the bus (a) HORA system detects the pedestrian as a hazard highlighted in red (b)

Our HORA prototype exemplifies the potential for autonomous technology to transform public transport. The research outcomes provide a solid foundation for next-stage innovation, offering valuable insights into the reliability, scalability, and transformative potential of fully autonomous trams in modern urban environments.

In addition, HORA has the potential to be used for passenger monitoring and increased metro safety. It’s ability to assess infrastructure and vehicle assets could also improve predictive maintenance monitoring.

At Hitachi’s ‘Make a Difference!’ competition in April 2023, the HORA project won the “New Business” category. This was in recognition of the advanced technology that had been developed and successfully deployed, as well as the eagerness of the project team to take on new challenges. It was further commended for the potential new market opportunities this highly innovative ADAS solution has created for transport safety, efficiency, and green mobility services.

Author(s): Quan Nguyen (Autonomy Circularity Lab), Anthony Ohazulike (Autonomy Circularity Lab), Massimiliano Lenardi (Autonomy Circularity Lab)