Risk-based path planning for autonomous vehicles

In this paper, a risk map-based path planning algorithm is introduced for autonomous vehicles. Multivariate B-splines are implemented to generate a risk map, which measures the risk of colliding with different objects. In the following step, a two-level optimal control problem is designed. At the first level, an overall lowest risk trajectory is found. Then in the second level, among the paths whose risk value is the lowest, the one with the minimum steering effort is determined. Finally, numerical simulations are carried out with the optimal control software OCPID-DAE1. Results show that this method is useful and meaningful to find a path of minimum risk for an autonomous vehicle.