The Pittsburgh Port Authority outfitted 100 buses with a collision avoidance system at a cost of approximately $2,600 per vehicle.
Made Public Date
01/16/2004
Identifier
2004-SC00062
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Summary Information

The Pittsburgh Port Authority (PAT) and Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute have tested a collision avoidance system on 100 buses to warn bus drivers of obstacles in blind spots. The system consists of 12 ultrasonic sensors mounted on the sides of each bus and an on-board computer. Interior warning lights located near the driver’s mirrors and audible indicator are activated if the system determines that the driver needs to take action.

The sensors are set to detect obstacles in close proximity to the bus and to warn drivers of potential collisions that would be found in a transit operating environment (narrow streets, tight intersections, high pedestrian population). Most commercial collision warning systems are geared for trucks and light vehicles operating at higher speeds and more open spaces.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation provided $950,000 to fund the demonstration project and field testing. The Federal Transit Administration is providing $960,000 to Carnegie Mellon for continued research and development of more advanced sensors and driver notification/display systems.

See Also:

http://www.ri.cmu.edu/projects/project_324.html

System Cost

Cost: $2,600 (approx.) per vehicle (2001).

System Cost Subsystem