Let’s face it, driving can be dangerous. When combining thousands of pounds of steel or aluminum on top of rubber wheels with high-speed capabilities, what can we expect? And although this form of transportation has a higher risk than many, in the last ten years automakers have made major strides toward enhanced driver safety. One of these strides includes the development of many Auto Collision Avoidance Systems. These systems help prevent collisions by using sensors around the vehicle to catch a risk of collision, and either alert or assist for collision avoidance in many different ways. They are able to respond quicker than drivers, which have made them extremely helpful in reducing auto collisions. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has even enforced that all vehicles will need to include automatic emergency braking by 2022. You might be asking yourself, how do these auto collision avoidance systems work? We’ve got the answers.
How Do Auto Collision Avoidance Systems Work?
These systems are designed with sensors around the vehicle’s external body, or radar, lasers or cameras to detect vehicles, objects, the lane you’re driving in, and more. When they sense danger, they are built to either alert the driver that there is a risk with a sound, light, or vibration, or they override the driver by applying the brakes or changing the vehicle’s speed.
The Different Types of Auto Collision Avoidance Systems
There are three main types of CAS systems. These include automatic braking systems, forward collision prevention systems, and lane departure warning systems. These three types of CAS systems help avoid auto accidents in different ways.
- Automatic Braking Systems – When your vehicle senses that an object is near your vehicle while you’re in motion, it will automatically apply your brakes to avoid a collision.
- Forward Collision Prevention Systems – These systems track your speed, the speed of the vehicle in front of you, and the distance between the two vehicles. If the system senses that you’re getting too close, it will alert the driver.
- Lane Departure Warning Systems – This system works in two ways. It tracks whether you’re drifting out of your lane, and it alerts you when another vehicle is in your blind spot to help avoid a collision.
The Different Features in Auto Collision Avoidance Systems
Although auto collision avoidance systems will not stop auto collisions altogether, they do majorly reduce collision risk. These systems help to reduce distractions while driving, help you understand what’s within your blind spots and make full use of your mirrors, and help you follow the rules of the road. Here are some common innovative features in these systems.
Parking Guidance Systems
This feature is an automated parking support system that helps park vehicles more precisely by using advanced technology. This camera-based system is especially helpful with parking in tighter spaces or parallel parking.
Adaptive Headlights
Adaptive headlights can automatically switch their light intensity based on changing conditions in the road. They also redirect light based on the positioning of the vehicle.
Automatic Braking Systems
These systems automatically activate the vehicle’s brakes when it senses danger by using sensors. Although drivers can override the brakes, the system is able to catch potential danger, in most cases, more quickly than the driver.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
ESC helps drivers stay in control of their vehicle by keeping it in the driver’s intended direction. These only trigger when a vehicle is getting close to its road traction limits.
Adaptive Cruise Control
Adaptive cruise control systems keep your vehicle at a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you while cruise control is being used. It will automatically adjust the speed up and down, adapting to drivers on the road.
Driver Drowsiness Detection
Most driver drowsiness detection systems work by monitoring the steering movements of the driver early on in the trip and alerting a driver to avoid a potential issue when it senses a change in patterns.
To summarize, Auto Collision Avoidance Systems, many developed within the last 10 years, have changed the present and future for driver safety. You should expect to continue to see innovative new systems each year that enhance our driving experience, keeping drivers safer on the road.
