Effectiveness of a blind spot visualization system with a video camera for safe lane changes

This paper proposes a new driver assistance system, named Blind Spot Visualization System, for supporting safe lane changes. This system provides the driver with the video image of the blind spots that cannot be seen easily even with the use of the side-view mirrors. An experiment with a driving simulator was conducted to compare the proposed system with a conventional system that gives a visual signal at the corresponding side view mirror when a vehicle is detected in the blind spot. The results showed that both systems were effective in improving safety and reducing driver's burden of head and eye movements for surveillance. With the proposed system, the drivers were successful in operating their car in a more stable manner. The drivers' mental workload, measured with NASA-TLX, was lower with the proposed system than with the conventional system.