COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM (CAS ) : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM (CAS ) : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

NEWS :  The tech that helps vehicles from bumping into each other

 

WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?

Collision Avoidance Systems (CAS)

Definition:

CAS is a technology designed to prevent vehicle collisions by continuously monitoring and managing the proximity of vehicles and obstacles. It aims to enhance safety across various transport modes by leveraging advanced sensors, onboard computers, and communication systems.

 

Land-Based Vehicles

  • Function:
    • Tracks the speed, distance, and relative positions of nearby vehicles.
    • Monitors potential collision threats and can trigger alerts or automatic interventions.
  • Components:
    • Sensors: Radar, lidar, and cameras are used to detect and track surrounding objects and vehicles.
    • Onboard Computers: Process data from sensors to evaluate collision risks and control vehicle responses.
    • Automatic Emergency Braking Systems: Can automatically apply brakes to prevent or mitigate collisions.
  • Example:
    • In passenger cars, CAS can automatically apply brakes if it detects an imminent collision with a preceding vehicle, reducing the risk of rear-end crashes.

 

Railways

  • System in India:
    • Kavach: A railway collision avoidance system specifically designed for Indian railways.
  • Components:
    • Onboard Computers: Installed on trains to process data and manage collision avoidance protocols.
    • Trackside Computers: Located along railway tracks to communicate with onboard systems.
    • RFID Readers: Detect and read RFID tags placed along the tracks.
    • Ultra-High Frequency Radio: Facilitates communication between trains and trackside systems.
    • GSM-Railway: Provides communication for operational and safety purposes.
  • Function:
    • Communicates with station masters and other control centers.
    • Facilitates decision-making related to train movement and speed.
    • Applies emergency brakes automatically if a collision risk is detected.

 Aircraft

  • System:
    • Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS): Utilized in aviation to prevent mid-air collisions.
  • Components:
    • Transponders: Broadcast aircraft's position and altitude information.
    • Radar Altimeters: Measure the aircraft's altitude above the ground.
  • Function:
    • Builds a 3D view of nearby aircraft using transponder and radar data.
    • Issues traffic advisories or resolution advisories to pilots if a collision risk is detected, guiding them to take evasive actions.

 

Ships

  • Systems:
    • Automatic Identification System (AIS): Used for tracking and identifying ships.
    • Long Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT): Provides long-range tracking of ships.
  • Function:
    • Tracks and reports ships’ positions, speed, and bearing.
    • Satellite-enhanced AIS improves remote tracking and accuracy of ship positions.

 

Satellites

  • Technology:
    • Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B): For aircraft, it enhances collision avoidance by broadcasting position and velocity data.
    • Satellite-AIS: For ships, it enhances collision avoidance by providing global tracking capabilities using GPS data and satellite communication.
  • Function:
    • Enhances CAS capabilities with real-time GPS data and satellite communication.
    • Improves accuracy in tracking and monitoring vehicles, aircraft, and ships across vast distances.

Source : https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/collision-avoidance-systems-explained/article68513033.ece#:~:text=In%20broad%20terms%2C%20a%20collision,avoid%20colliding%20with%20another%20train.