Enhancing Safety in Automated Ports: A Virtual Reality Study of Pedestrian-Autonomous Vehicle Interactions under Time Pressure, Visual Constraints, and Varying Vehicle Size

2026-01-06

arXiv.org

AI Summary

This study addresses the safety risks associated with interactions between pedestrians and autonomous vehicles in automated ports under conditions of low visibility, time pressure, and multi-scale vehicle platooning. It presents the first systematic investigation into the combined effects of visual occlusion, platoon size, and time pressure on pedestrian crossing decisions. Leveraging a virtual reality simulation platform and a multivariate experimental design that integrates human factors engineering with intelligent transportation methodologies, the research uncovers a novel mechanism whereby partial occlusion significantly reduces pedestrians’ safety margins. Findings indicate that both low visibility and larger vehicle platoons heighten perceived risk, leading pedestrians to wait longer and accept smaller gaps for crossing. Based on these insights, practical countermeasures—including wide-angle camera deployment, vehicle-infrastructure cooperative communication, and optimized lighting—are proposed to enhance safety in port-side intelligent transportation systems.

Technology Category

• Planning, Routing, and Scheduling: Optimization of Spatio-temporal Systems
• Intelligent Robots: Multimodal Perception & Sensor Fusion
• Application Domains: Transportation

Application Category

• Security and Privacy: Large-scale security measurements
• Responsible Web: Machine-in-the-loop, human agency and autonomy
• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Web applications in cross-disciplinary domains and verticals such as mixed reality, smart cities, and digital health

Abstract

Autonomous driving improves traffic efficiency but presents safety challenges in complex port environments. This study investigates how environmental factors, traffic factors, and pedestrian characteristics influence interaction safety between autonomous vehicles and pedestrians in ports. Using virtual reality (VR) simulations of typical port scenarios, 33 participants completed pedestrian crossing tasks under varying visibility, vehicle sizes, and time pressure conditions. Results indicate that low-visibility conditions, partial occlusions and larger vehicle sizes significantly increase perceived risk, prompting pedestrians to wait longer and accept larger gaps. Specifically, pedestrians tended to accept larger gaps and waited longer when interacting with large autonomous truck platoons, reflecting heightened caution due to their perceived threat. However, local obstructions also reduce post-encroachment time, compressing safety margins. Individual attributes such as age, gender, and driving experience further shape decision-making, while time pressure undermines compensatory behaviors and increases risk. Based on these findings, safety strategies are proposed, including installing wide-angle cameras at multiple viewpoints, enabling real-time vehicle-infrastructure communication, enhancing port lighting and signage, and strengthening pedestrian safety training. This study offers practical recommendations for improving the safety and deployment of vision-based autonomous systems in port settings.

Problem

• autonomous vehicles
• pedestrian safety
• automated ports
• virtual reality
• human-vehicle interaction

Innovation

• virtual reality simulation
• pedestrian-autonomous vehicle interaction
• port safety
• environmental constraints
• perceived risk