Chip-enabled Raised Pavement Markers could revolutionize Autonomous Driving
As autonomous vehicles (AVs) inch closer to mainstream adoption, the challenge of ensuring their safe and efficient operation in varying conditions remains paramount.
While advanced sensors, such as cameras and LiDAR, have been the foundation for AVs, there are significant gaps in their performance, especially in adverse weather and complex road geometries. Enter the ground-breaking research from Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and Western Michigan University (WMU) — a cutting-edge solution that might just be the missing link: chip-enabled raised pavement markers (CERPMs).
This innovation has the potential to revolutionise how self-driving cars interpret the roads they navigate, offering a more reliable, energy-efficient, and cost-effective solution compared to current off-the-shelf computer vision systems.
The Smart Road Concept
Autonomous vehicles rely heavily on their ability to “see” their environment. Traditionally, AVs use multiple sensors such as cameras, radar, and LiDAR to detect lane markings, obstacles, and traffic conditions. While these technologies work well under ideal circumstances, they falter in less-than-perfect conditions. Fog, rain, snow, or even poorly maintained roads can confuse the vehicle’s sensors, leading to safety risks.
To address these shortcomings, researchers at ORNL and WMU have developed CERPMs, a new technology that equips standard raised pavement markers with microchips capable of transmitting geospatial information directly to passing vehicles. These modified markers help AVs stay centred in their lanes, even when lane markings are worn or obscured, providing a significant advantage over current computer vision-based systems.
By embedding microchips into raised pavement markers, CERPMs transmit essential road information, including lane curvature, to the vehicle’s perception system. This technology not only helps vehicles accurately follow their path but also reduces the computational power needed for navigation, extending the battery life of electric autonomous vehicles (EAVs). In a world where energy efficiency is crucial, this could mean longer trips between recharges for EAVs.
How It Works
CERPMs operate by using radio frequency (RF) technology to send data about the road’s layout directly to vehicles. Unlike computer vision systems that struggle with bad weather or sharp curves, these markers provide continuous, reliable information. ORNL’s lead researcher, Ali Riza Ekti, explains: “Now a car can receive data from 50 marker locations in a single signal snapshot.”
That’s a big leap forward compared to camera-based systems, which often miss lane markings on sharp curves. In fact, during one study, a commercial computer vision system detected lanes only 7% of the time on steep curves. In contrast, CERPMs were successful 100% of the time.
The Race Against Traditional Systems
The study compared CERPM technology to a commonly used computer vision product, Mobileye, which relies on onboard sensors and advanced image processing. While Mobileye can identify lanes under clear, ideal conditions, it struggles with lane detection on sharp curves or in poor weather conditions. Mobileye’s system detected lane markings on sharp curves just 6.7% of the time, a sobering statistic when we consider the increasing complexity of modern roadways.
The CERPMs, on the other hand, transmit detailed lane data directly to the vehicle’s control system, significantly improving its ability to navigate. They provide redundancy, which is crucial for autonomous vehicles that need multiple layers of information to ensure safety.
Moreover, CERPMs can be detected from as far as 340 metres away, giving vehicles ample time to adjust to upcoming curves or obstacles. This kind of foresight is critical when dealing with unpredictable road conditions.
A Cost-Effective Alternative
One of the major hurdles to AV adoption is the cost associated with implementing high-definition (HD) maps and roadside units (RSUs). These technologies are expensive and require regular maintenance. CERPMs offer a more affordable and scalable solution.
The CERPMs are designed to replace traditional raised pavement markers, which are already widely used across the world. Installing CERPMs would be a simple upgrade to existing infrastructure, making it a more financially viable option. Maintenance would also be straightforward, as Departments of Transportation (DOTs) already maintain raised pavement markers, and this technology could be incorporated into their existing processes.
While the cost of installing RSUs at each intersection can run into thousands of dollars, CERPMs are inexpensive in comparison. They can be manufactured and deployed at scale for a fraction of the cost, and the return on investment in terms of safety, efficiency, and energy savings makes them a highly attractive proposition.
Benefits Beyond Safety
The advantages of CERPMs go beyond just keeping vehicles in their lanes. By reducing the computational demands on the vehicle’s onboard systems, they help extend the range of electric vehicles (EVs). As AVs process less data from cameras and other sensors, they conserve energy, allowing them to travel further before needing a recharge. This is a game-changer for the EV industry, where range anxiety is a significant barrier to adoption.
Additionally, CERPMs can function in all weather conditions. Whether it’s snow, fog, or rain, the technology continues to transmit lane information reliably, something traditional camera-based systems often struggle with.
Future of Infrastructure and AVs
As smart roads become a reality, CERPMs are poised to play a key role in the future of transportation infrastructure. Governments and private enterprises alike are looking for scalable solutions that can make roads safer and more efficient, and CERPM technology fits the bill.
Scaling up this technology across national road networks is a long-term project, but it’s one that’s well worth the investment. The installation process is straightforward, requiring no new infrastructure, and the benefits to autonomous vehicle safety and efficiency are clear.
Further research will likely focus on improving the hardware to enhance detection capabilities and reduce installation costs even further. As the technology matures, there is also potential for integrating CERPMs with other vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication systems, paving the way for fully autonomous driving on a global scale.
The Road Ahead
The road to fully autonomous vehicles is full of twists and turns, but innovations like CERPMs are helping to straighten the path. By providing a reliable, cost-effective, and energy-efficient alternative to existing systems, this technology is poised to make a significant impact on the future of transportation.
For policymakers, construction professionals, and investors, the message is clear: smart infrastructure is the key to unlocking the full potential of autonomous vehicles. CERPMs are just the beginning, but they represent a major leap forward in making our roads safer, smarter, and more efficient.
