SETAS: electronic safety triangle system

• Grant number: 00/07597-2
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: May 01, 2003
• End date: February 28, 2009
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Electrical Engineering - Telecommunications
• Principal Investigator: Francisco Rafael Meyer Pires
• Grantee: Francisco Rafael Meyer Pires
• Company: Auttran Automação de Transportes, Comércio e Indústria Ltda
• City: São Paulo

Abstract

The Electronic System of Safety Triangles (SETAS), aims to introduce an innovatory concept for the prevention of road traffic accidents, based on direct warnings to motorists, within their vehicles. One of the great advantages of the system, from the road safety perspective, is the possibility of alerting drivers immediately a problem occurs, long before the obstacle on the highway is visible to the driver. Many scenarios, with the frequent occurrence of serious accidents could be avoided or be reduced in seriousness. The main point of SETAS is the Sinalerta equipment, the development of which is being proposed here. Sinalerta is a device installed in vehicles and also at fixed points along the highway. In vehicles, the devices are transceivers for short distance communication which, in the case of a collision, automatically activate, in a radius of 300 meters, a warning signal which is received by vehicles equipped with the Sinalerta, and other vehicles by cascade effect, will also reduce their speed, even though they are not equipped with the Sinalerta. In addition, the motorist with the equipped vehicle will be able to activate the Sinalerta manually when confronted with an accident or a situation of imminent danger. The fixed units, which can also be transportable, could be used by the road traffic police and highway administrators to warn motorists. Engineering prototypes of the equipment were designed, manufactured and tested, and the project viability proven by means of the system’s deployment, operation and performance in the field. The final planned result is the production of a set manufactured items of equipment, that are fully functional and qualified for full use, which will serve as the pilot batch for the future commercialization phase. (AU)