globusjournal

Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) are capable of performing safety-critical control functions on their own by apprehending their environment through numerous sensor systems. However, there remain several limitations in regard to the AV sensors’ operability and performance under adverse weather conditions. Diminishing sensor operability may be extremely high risk and generally negatively affect the safety of AVs, which may cause complications on the road and the rider. This research assessed the safety of AVs in weather conditions in the Philippines. CARLA simulation is studied and programmed, with the most common AV sensors integrated into CARLA such as LiDAR, RADAR, and Lane Detection Camera. An extensive literature review is conducted to authenticate the simulation results due to the nature of the research – Conducted in a virtual world. The findings from CARLA in regard to the sensors’ operability under Philippine weather conditions are compared to standards set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The results are hypothesized to show that AVs are safe under Philippine weather conditions, as sensor operability under such weather conditions is expected to have a drop-off of no more than 30% compared to clear weather conditions.

Keywords: Autonomous Vehicles, CARLA Simulation, Weather, Philippines, Sensors, LiDAR, RADAR, Lane Detection.