Importance of A-pillars of vehicles during intersection approach

Abstract

Pillars are essential since they ensure body strength for vehicles. However, they are solid and opaque parts between the windshield, side and rear windows. Especially the first, A-pillar, and last ones are designed as thick as possible to improve the body strength. This study focuses on the blind spot caused by the A-pillar of the vehicle. A numerical analysis has been performed to determine the velocity relations between the two vehicles. One stays in the blind place of the other one. 9 different driver scenarios have been given. These scenarios depend on the position of the driver and the A-pillar section length. Based on the numerical analysis of the scenarios, vehicles that must give way notice the vehicle passing right 1.62 seconds before they both arrive at the intersection for low speeds. With the increase in speed, the time needed to arrive at the intersection decreases significantly. As a result, the A-pillar design parameters should also be considered when analysing an accident at the intersection.