See Through System: A VANET-Enabled Approach for Overtaking Maneuvers

The use of wireless technology based on Vehicular Ad hoc Networks (VANETs) for information exchange can influence the drivers’ behavior towards improving driving performance and reducing road accidents. This information can even be more relevant if it is presented as a video stream. In this paper we propose a system that relies on VANET technology and video-streaming technology, the See Trough system (STS). The system enhances driver’s visibility and supports the driver’s overtaking decision in challenging situations, such as overtaking a vision-obstructing vehicle. The use of the See-Trough system provides the driver with an additional tool for determining if traffic conditions permit starting an overtaking maneuver thus reducing the risk of overtaking. We tested the See Through System on an experimental vehicle on the road as well as in the context of a vehicle driving simulator for real world environment. Results are promising, since the use of the 802.11p standard wireless communication protocol allows a long-range connection without significant delay and the totality of the participants regarded the information provided by the STS as useful.