Sensor developed to prevent blind spot accidents involving vulnerable road users

A collaboration between Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and the research centre 'Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre' (imec) has yielded a breakthrough in road safety technology—a warning system tailored to avert blind spot accidents involving lorries.

As a result of a concerning 10% rise in road fatalities in Flanders in 2023, attention has turned to addressing the significant portion of these incidents which are attributed to blind spot accidents involving lorries. Conventional warning systems such as radar sensors have proven inadequate, especially in adverse weather conditions e.g. rain or snow, where vulnerable road users are less reliably detected.

The 'Active Sideguard' sensor, a pioneering system developed by the collaborative effort, utilises low-frequency electric fields to accurately detect vulnerable road users within a lorry's blind spot. Its resilience to various weather conditions sets it apart from existing detection systems, ensuring operational reliability across all situations and freight vehicles, thereby significantly enhancing the safety of vulnerable road users.

Bart Truyen, VUB researcher, emphasises the profound impact of their research, having stated: "We are literally saving lives with our research."

This project received €420,000 in funding from the Flemish government, marking a significant investment in advancing road safety measures.