Autonomous vision-based technology for AVCS

A brief description of the advanced vehicle control systems (AVCSs) component of the intelligent vehicle/highway system (IVHS) program is given. The AVCS goals and plans, which, if implemented, could vastly increase highway capacity and safety, are described. A description of the latest work at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Florida Atlantic University (FAU) on applying vision-based technology to autonomous driving is given. The testbed vehicle performs autonomous road following on a test course at speeds of up to 90 km/hour under various weather and outdoor light conditions. The vision processing and control algorithms used are described, together with the conditions under which the vehicle has been tested. A brief description of the next phase of development, already in progress, is provided.