Keller Colloquium in Computing and Mathematical Sciences

Intersections are hazardous places. Threats arise from interactions among pedestrians, bicycles and vehicles; more complicated vehicle trajectories in the absence of lane markings; phases that prevent determining who has the right of way; invisible vehicle approaches; vehicle obstructions; and illegal movements. These challenges are not fully addressed by the "road diet" and road redesign prescribed in Vision Zero plans. Nor will they be completely overcome by autonomous vehicles with their many sensors and tireless attention to surroundings. Accidents can also occur because drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians do not have the information they need to avoid wrong decisions. In these cases, infrastructure- to-vehicle (I2V) communication can prevent errors. The talk presents an approach to safety based on I2V technology. The discussion is motivated by the analysis of an accident at an intersection in Tempe, AZ, between an automated Uber Volvo and a manual Honda CRV and culminates in a proposal for an intelligent intersection infrastructure. Joint work with Alex Kurzhanskiy, Aditya Medury, Mengqiao Yu, and Offer Grembek.