Traffic environment recognition method and system for carrying out the same

摘要

The invention relates to a traffic environment recognition system including an image-processing unit (1), an information-merging unit (4), a radar unit (2), and a network (5) connected to the imageprocessing unit (1), the radar unit (2), the information-merging unit (4) and a vehicle control unit (6) capable of controlling the traveling operation of a host vehicle. The imageprocessing unit (1) recognizes headway distance, the azimuth, relative speed and width of the preceding vehicle, and the position of the host vehicle in a lane. The radar unit recognizes headway distance, the azimuth and relative speed of the preceding vehicle. The information-merging unit (4) receives recognition results provided by the imageprocessing unit (1) and the radar unit (2) through the network (5), merges the recognition results, identifies recognition objects relating to the recognition results. When a vehicle relating to the recognition results provided by the image-processing unit (1) and a vehicle relating to the recognition results provided by the radar unit (2) are one and the same vehicle, the information-merging unit (4) produces output information by adding a sensor information indicating that the vehicles are one and the same vehicle to the recognition results, and sends the output information through the network (5) to the vehicle control unit (6).