Systems and methods for providing warnings of imminent hazards

A system for alerting a driver of a motor vehicle of a hazard on a roadway comprising:

• at least one camera mounted on a front portion of the motor vehicle;
• a hazard detection module in the motor vehicle in communication via a communications module with the at least one camera, with a local onboard topography database located physically on the motor vehicle, with a local onboard historical database located physically on the motor vehicle that contains previous images taken of a current location of the motor vehicle, with a display, and with a GPS unit;
• wherein an analysis module associated with the hazard detection module is configured to receive images from the at least one camera and to combine the images with data retrieved from the local topography database and with data received from the historical database to detect and identify the hazard, in view of information received from a remote road hazard detection server;
• and
• wherein the analysis module is configured to evaluate any risks posed by the hazard and provide warnings to the driver should the analysis module determine that the hazard poses a risk.

A system for evaluating risks posed by a hazard on a roadway or a path comprising:

• an analysis module in communication with a communications module and a local topography database;
• at least one camera in communication with the analysis module via the communications module;
• a GPS unit in communication with the analysis module via the communications module;
• a display configured to receive warnings from the analysis module via the communications module, display the warnings to a user, and receive user inputs;
• wherein the analysis module is configured to repeatedly scan a roadway for a hazard at a predetermined frequency using the at least one camera, and is configured to receive a user input relating to the predetermined frequency of scanning via the display;
• wherein the analysis module is configured to evaluate images received from the camera in combination with data received from the local topography database and the GPS unit to detect the hazard and determine whether the hazard poses a risk;
• and
• wherein the analysis module is configured to transmit warnings to the display whenever it determines that the hazard poses a risk.