SWARCO Road Marking Systems carried out comprehensive tests involving driver assistance systems in the world’s largest climatic wind tunnel located in Vienna. The tests focused on the detectability of road markings by automated driver assistance systems. The measurements with several LiDAR sensors and cameras specifically targeted road marking recognition under adverse visibility conditions. SWARCO Road Marking Systems’ premium glass beads improved the detection of the road markings for all marking materials used.
‘We have identified a massive correlation between retroreflection and the detection of markings by LiDAR sensors. Higher retroreflection enhances detectability by more than 80 per cent, irrespective of outside conditions,’ Harald Mosböck, VP Region Europe/MEA/Africa (Sales/Contracting) at SWARCO Road Marking Systems, describes. LiDAR stands for ‘light detection and ranging’ – this technology, which is similar to radar, uses laser beams to measure the position and speed of objects.
Road markings with SWARCO SOLIDPLUS & SWARCO DURALUX premium glass beads achieved the best results, facilitating the detection of lane markings by driver assistance systems regardless of the marking material used. In wet conditions, LiDAR detection dropped significantly, by up to 96 per cent compared to optimal conditions. Here, too, marking systems with SWARCO SOLIDPLUS & SWARCO DURALUX premium glass beads yielded markedly better results. Thanks to their excellent retroreflection values, these premium glass beads substantially increase road safety, particularly at night and in foggy or rainy weather. Ambient brightness or glare, however, did not have any significant impact on LiDAR detection.
‘At any rate, one of the key takeaways from these tests is that LiDAR and cameras complement each other very well when it comes to detecting marking systems reliably, even in the most adverse weather conditions. This increases the reliability of driver assistance systems and improves safety,’ Harald Mosböck explains.
‘Lane markings are often described as the rails for self-steering cars. By using markings with premium glass beads, SWARCO Road Marking Systems creates a world of reliable guidance systems for humans and machines. This has been proven by the tests conducted in the climatic wind channel, and the results are impressive,’ explains Harald Mosböck, VP Region Europe/MEA/Africa (Sales/Contracting) at SWARCO Road Marking Systems.
Source: SWARCO
