Authors: P. Pradeep Kumar, A. Archana G, Usha Sree A, Jayachandra C. , Mohan Krishna
Abstract: Public transport buses in India face critical safety challenges, with over 130 fatalities recorded in bus fire accidents since 2013 and hundreds of fog-related collisions occurring annually during winter months. Current safety systems are inadequate, with non-functional fire extinguishers, blocked emergency exits, and poor visibility conditions contributing to preventable deaths. This paper proposes an integrated multi-sensor safety architecture that addresses three primary hazards: fog-induced collisions, onboard fire emergencies, and delayed evacuation during accidents. The proposed system employs LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology for real-time obstacle detection and collision avoidance in low-visibility conditions caused by dense fog or heavy rainfall. Unlike conventional camera-based systems that fail in adverse weather, LiDAR sensors penetrate fog particles and provide accurate distance measurements up to 300 meters, triggering graduated visual and audible alerts to prevent collisions. For fire safety, the system integrates multi-zone automatic fire detection and suppression using temperature sensors and smoke detectors connected to solenoid-controlled water mist nozzles distributed throughout the passenger compartment. Upon detecting fire conditions, the system automatically activates suppression mechanisms within 3-10 seconds while simultaneously triggering emergency evacuation protocols. The automated emergency evacuation system features motorized rear-frame emergency doors designed to open upward using linear actuators, eliminating manual operation delays during panic situations. Additionally, the system incorporates an automated hydrophobic coating spray mechanism for the driver's windshield that dispenses nano-coating solution to create water-beading effects,significantly improving driver visibility. The complete system is controlled by an ESP32 microcontroller with modular firmware architecture, enabling real-time sensor fusion and decision-making algorithms. This integrated approach provides comprehensive safety enhancement at an estimated implementation cost significantly lower than deploying separate commercial systems.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18753773
