Nissan Slip-Hazard Warning system
Combining real-time probe data
With cumulative history statistics 

MT, PR,
14 November 2007.

Last month, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. announced the start of its "slip-hazard warning system" tests in Hokkaido, Northern Japan, to help mitigate accidents on slippery roads, especially in cold weather conditions.

The advanced intelligent-system combines data from its Intelligent Transport System (ITS) technologies (see also ASV-4, drink-driving prevention system) - an information system that connects people, vehicles and traffic infrastructure - and in-vehicle ABS (anti-lock braking system) to issue real-time voice alerts as the vehicle approaches a slippery point in the road.

The Hokkaido test is part of the ITS project piloted in Kanagawa Prefecture since October last year, involving customers' vehicle participation (a collaboration between Nissan, NTT DoCoMo Inc., Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., and Xanavi Infomatics Corp.) to help reduce traffic accidents and congestion.

Multi-dimensional detection - In the slip-hazard warning system tests, slippery-road conditions can be monitored and evaluated via:

- Probe data (vehicle location, speed and other information via cellular communications),
- Real-time map of slippery points relative to current vehicle position, based on data received via its Carwings communications system and probe information, such as the activation of ABS which indicates slippery conditions,
- Statistical data of historical records of slippery areas, based on cumulative data on accident points, such as the location of reported skid accidents from past years.

In combining real-time and statistical data, the slip-hazard warning system provides additional safety and accuracy layers, allowing even to anticipate dangers, not only from current situation data, but from previous accidents, bringing the benefit of other people experiences in the past, to every driver in a risky situation.

The extension of the project in Hokkaido is intended to evaluate the tolerances in the system under real-world driving conditions.

Nissan estimates about 100 vehicles equipped with the Carwings navigation system (it offers traffic information, route navigation...etc. ) around Sapporo city, to provide the necessary real-world driving sample data for this project.

Started last October, the current test phase will be conducted until March 2008, in cooperation with the Hokkaido Prefectural Police.

Nissan hopes to examine the accuracy, effectiveness and feasibility of the system for future commercial application.