Development of Bicycle Surrogate for Bicyclist Pre-Collision System Evaluation

Abstract

As part of active safety systems for reducing bicyclist fatalities and injuries, Bicyclist Pre-Collision System (BPCS), also known as Bicyclist Autonomous Emergency Braking System, is being studied currently by several vehicles manufactures. This paper describes the development of a surrogate bicyclist which includes a surrogate bicycle and a surrogate bicycle rider to support the development and evaluation of BPCS. The surrogate bicycle is designed to represent the visual and radar characteristics of real bicyclists in the United States. The size of bicycle surrogate mimics the 26 inch adult bicycle, which is the most popular adult bicycle sold in the US. The radar cross section (RCS) of the surrogate bicycle is designed based on RCS measurement of the real adult sized bicycles. The surrogate bicycle is constructed with detachable components with shatter resistant material to prevent structural damage during a collision, and matches the look and RCS of a real 26 inch mountain bicycle from all 360 degree angles. The surrogate bicycle rider is a 168 cm tall adult with CNC machined realistic body shape. The skin of the surrogate bicycle rider has the RCS of a real human skin. Combined skin with realistic body shape, the surrogate bicyclist has the RCS matching to that of a same sized real human from 360 degree angles in the view of 77GHz automotive radar. The surrogate bicyclist has articulated leg motion which is important for micro Doppler sensing and can be supported on a sled or a mobile carrier. It can be moved at a speed of 20 mph and can be collided by vehicles from any direction and be reassembled in less than 5 minutes.