Effect of Packet Loss on a Connected Heavy Vehicle Collision Avoidance Algorithm

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems in Heavy Commercial Road Vehicles are of increasing importance due to their high potential in reducing road accidents, where human error is the major contributor. A Vehicle-to-Vehicle communication-based Collision Avoidance Algorithm (CAA) can help in reducing these accidents by complementing the onboard sensors and applying brakes automatically upon detecting a threat. However, due to the wireless nature and dynamic topology of this communication network, packet loss is a major challenge for safety-related applications like collision avoidance. Hence, the effect of packet loss on the performance of CAA was investigated using a Hardware-in-Loop experimental platform in this paper. It was observed that the desired final spacing was maintained but, early braking was observed when the host vehicle followed the lead vehicle at close distances.