Collision avoidance sensing for slow moving agricultural vehicles

A microwave sensor and control system was developed to provide information to reduce the likelihood of a collision caused by a fast-moving motor vehicle approaching a slow moving farm vehicle from the rear. Such a system seems potentially appealing, since many types of self-propelled farm vehicles are being equipped with radar or microwave sensors to measure their ground speed during field operation. The sensor unit is mounted on the back of a tractor or other trailing implement, sensing the velocity and approximate distance of a vehicle approaching from the rear. The sensor performs reliably when the tractor is stationary, but the detection distance has been unsatisfactory for field applications. A unique data acquisition system and testing protocol involving distance measurement at the time of actual detection between two moving vehicles is described.