Next time you drive along the highway, browse your phone or browse the console to find a CD, consider this information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: in all the fatal accidents reported on 2001, more than 43% of accidents involve vehicles departing from the lane or off the road. That so-
According to NHTSA, the so-called "accidental lane departure" is the biggest cause of death in American car highways.
Even the most serious peopleon-the-
The wheel driver can admit to crossing the white line inadvertently.
Due diligence is required to keep up with busy traffic-
Even so, another set of eyes will help.
Francis Merler, vice president of Iteris, said this additional look is possible and the company has launched the AutoVue lane departure warning system.
The 2006 Infiniti M35 and m45 offer a simple electronic monitoring system as an option.
Trucking and bus companies have used the system in Europe and demand is increasing, he said.
The electronic watchdog is a small integrated unit that encapsulates cameras, on-board computers, and software.
The compact design can be attached to the rear view mirror, the windshield behind the dashboard, or to the back of the overhead console.
On the road, the AutoVue camera tracks visible Lane marks-
White or yellow stripes-
Enter the information into the computer.
The software then combines image data with vehicle speed and steering input. Using image-
With recognition software, the computer can predict when the vehicle starts to drift in the direction of an unexpected lane change.
When the lane crosses without using the turn signal, the electronic hum that imitates the sound of the tires on the rumble zone gives an alarm.
Two small speakers are installed at the bottom of the front seat back.
Drifting on the left
The lane Mark triggers the left speaker and moves the passenger to the right-side alert.
In the evening, the camera starts working from the front light, aiming at 12 to 30 feet in front of the car.
The company is also working to develop seat vibrator alerts, which are especially useful for hearing
Damaged driver
An unexpected benefit of AutoVue is that it encourages drivers to use turn lights.
If not, the system will alert.
The system is simple and cheap to produce.
The camera is the type used in children's toys, and the computer processor is the same as used in the PDA.
Using available components of these types also reduces the price.
Memole said that things that can be promoted as high-tech and $2,000 are more likely to be offered at around $500.
"Technology itself cannot be sold.
"It must be affordable," he said . ".
He said that while recent road tests on the device prove to be fully functional, the parameters of the alert meet the manufacturer's safety standards, which may take time to determine.
"Large SUVs like suburbs are wide and more sensitive to cross lanes," said Memole . " Therefore, the manufacturer has the option to set the alarm to make a few inches of sound from the white line in order to have enough time to correct it.
Small cars can be designed for the outside of the line.
"In a short test drive at AutoVue --
Equipped with Ford Explorer, the system is programmed to be active for more than 45 miles per hour.
It can also be closed in heavy worktown traffic.
I made many intentional lane changes without using the turn signal, and the system captured every "leave" and responded with a non-intrusive hum.
In the future development of AutoVue, cue sounds can be programmed for a variety of sounds or phrases.