Modern automobiles are equipped with an assortment of cameras and sensors, and Honda wants to use them for more than just driver assistance systems.
In a partnership with the Ohio Department of Transportation, the Honda Research Institute will conduct a pilot program that aims to assist authorities in maintaining roadways in a more efficient, cost-effective, and timely manner.
In order to do this, Honda has developed a new “road condition monitoring system” that uses a vehicle’s camera to identify the condition of lane markings. Lane markings that are in good condition are assigned a green color code, while acceptable lane markings are given a yellow color code. Lane markings that need repair are given a red designation, while places with no lane markings are assigned a grey color code.
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This information as well as GPS coordinates and relevant images or video is then anonymized and sent to authorities responsible for maintaining the roads. The data should enable them to quickly determine the location and severity of poor lane markings, so they can be fixed.
This sounds like a win-win as the system relies on technology already installed in vehicles and promises to make roads safer. The director of the Ohio Department of Transportation, Jack Marchbanks, also suggested potential savings as he noted “We regularly inspect our roadways … and act quickly to address any issues” but it’s a “labor-intensive process.” By having cars automatically identifying and reporting issues with photo or video evidence, it could reduce the need for manual inspections and monitoring of roadways.
The Honda Research Institute is also exploring how this information could be shared between vehicles so driver assistive systems could be adjusted to best deal with varying lane marking conditions. This information could also be used to give drivers advance warning about issues, such as when they might need to take back control of the vehicle due to poor lane markings.
Honda is planning to expand the system’s capabilities in the future to detect more than just lane markings. There’s no word on specifics, but it’s easy to see how the system could be used to identify and report potholes.