Why Near-Miss Detection Matters

Definition & Impact‌: A "near miss" refers to an incident where a collision is narrowly avoided between road users (vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists). Though no physical harm occurs, these events are vital indicators of systemic road risks.

Data Insights‌: Based on Heinrich’s Accident Triangle, 1 fatal/serious injury correlates with 29 minor injuries and 300 near misses. Yet, due to limited data capture and subjective reporting, near-miss events remain understudied.

Traditional Limitations‌: Legacy traffic monitoring systems prioritize actual collisions, overlooking near-miss patterns. Subjective reporting further complicates data accuracy.

Measuring Near-Miss Events: Challenges & Metrics

PET (Post-Encroachment Time)‌: The key metric for near-miss severity, PET measures the time gap between two road users passing through the same conflict point.

PET <4 seconds = Unsafe interaction

PET <2 seconds = Critical risk

Camera-Based Limitations‌: Traditional video systems struggle with depth perception, narrow fields of view, weather/light sensitivity, data processing bottlenecks, and privacy concerns.

Ouster Digital Lidar: A Game-Changer in Detection

High-Resolution 3D Mapping‌: Ouster sensors generate up to 5.2 million points per second, creating detailed 3D point clouds of intersections or roadways for precise object detection.

All-Weather Reliability‌: Operates flawlessly in low-light, fog, rain, or glare, ensuring uninterrupted data collection.

Enhanced Accuracy‌: Tracks vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists of all sizes with centimeter-level precision.

Privacy-Centric Design‌: Captures anonymous data, eliminating facial or license plate recognition risks.

Ouster Blue City: Real-Time Near-Miss Analytics Platform

Integrated Solution‌: Combines Ouster’s digital lidar sensors with AI-powered perception software for 24/7 near-miss detection.

Conflict Analysis Dashboard‌:

Interactive heatmaps visualize high-risk zones and movement patterns.

Custom filters (vehicle type, speed, PET range) enable granular insights.

Actionable Data‌: Empowers cities to optimize traffic signals, redesign roads, and deploy targeted safety campaigns.

Case Study: Nashville Implementation

Vanderbilt University Partnership‌: Ouster’s technology was deployed in Nashville to analyze near-miss hotspots, demonstrating a 40% reduction in high-risk interactions after infrastructure upgrades.

Scalable Impact‌: From urban intersections to school zones, Ouster Blue City provides actionable insights to protect vulnerable road users.

Conclusion

Ouster’s digital lidar redefines near-miss detection by delivering unparalleled 3D accuracy, real-time analytics, and privacy compliance. With Ouster Blue City, cities gain the tools to proactively address road risks, transform infrastructure planning, and save lives.