Mandatory use direction indicators when making maneuvers in the SDA is not in vain, because a predictable trajectory of movement is one of mandatory conditions road safety. What if the driver was tired, fell asleep and lost control? Then you can roll into a ditch or, even worse, fly into the oncoming lane. In such cases, the row control system should help and protect from trouble.
Often, the lane control system is called the lane keeping assist system. Automakers practice most of all in “naming”. At Volkswagen, it is called simply and concisely - lane assist. And for KIA, for example, it has a more intricate name Lane Departure Warning System (lane departure warning system).
Nevertheless, regardless of the name, all systems work on the same principle. Any lane change must be authorized by the appropriate turn signal. This, firstly, reduces the likelihood that the maneuver will go unnoticed by other road users. And secondly, it says that the driver does not change lanes by chance, but intentionally, which means that he controls the driving.
All row control systems can be conditionally divided into:
- passive;
- active.
In passive systems, the driver is simply informed of the danger. In active systems, the electronics itself can intervene in driving and keep the car in its lane. But here, too, not without reservations. For example, Audi decided to play it safe. Its Lane Assist will not correct the trajectory of the movement if the driver's hands are not on the steering wheel. The system, of course, has passed more than one hundred tests, but the company still believes that the responsibility should lie with the driver, and the technology is only designed to help him in difficult situations.
Renault's video clearly demonstrates the operation of the passive-type row control system:
In Infiniti using the system active type, the correction of the trajectory of movement is carried out not with the help of the steering wheel, but with the help of the brake system. This means that it is much more difficult to “weave” it into the operation of other active safety systems compared to passive systems. In the event of an involuntary exit from the lane, the branded Lane system Departure Prevention first makes sounds and, if the driver does not respond, then “taxis” the car on its own, braking the necessary wheels:
One of the prerequisites correct operation row control is high-quality road markings and if, for example, it is covered with snow, then the system will simply be useless. Therefore, in all models on which it is used, it is provided easy way turning it off.
Lane Keeping Assist System - another development automotive engineers in the field of security traffic. The principle of its operation is perfectly characterized by a bearded anecdote about Russian car roads where the driver can sleep, because the car still has nowhere to go out of the rut. Of course, this is all a bit exaggerated - a modern lane keeping system only works on high-quality highways or federal highways with clear road markings. In general, this system has been operating relatively recently and operates using the most advanced technologies and is found, as a rule, on premium cars.
However, one way or another, let's look at the technology of the device in more detail.
System device
First of all, let's figure out which structural elements and sensors consists of a lane keeping assistance system. So, the following elements can be distinguished:
- Power button. It is located on the lever that switches the direction indicators. Located on the driver's door panel.
- Directly radars that monitor the traffic situation. As a rule, they are installed in mirrors. rear view both on the right and on the left side.
- Electronic control units are responsible for the operation of each radar.
- To inform the driver, special signal indicators are provided. They are also mounted in rear-view mirrors on both sides.
- Also on dashboard car is located additional signal lamp to control the operation of the system.
Depending on the manufacturers, the system can be based not only on standard radars, but also on video cameras or sensors based on ultrasound.
Operating principle
So, when it became clear what the lane control system consists of, let's look at the features and principle of its operation. For example, let's take the Side Assist system - it is installed on an AUDI or a Volkswagen - it works very simply - everything is based on controlling all movement within a certain radius from the car, which is most important behind it.
At the moment when the driver intends to change lanes from one lane to another and there is an obstacle on the road, a special warning signal is activated.
That is why this security system is sometimes called a lane change assistance system. Initially, it turns on only when a certain key on the dashboard is pressed, however, it switches to the active mode of operation only as soon as the car reaches a speed of 60 kilometers per hour or more. The main role in the work is played by a special radar. As already mentioned in the section on the design of the system, it controls traffic situation and monitors the presence of foreign objects in the control zone.
Analysis of the results obtained from the radar is the business of electronic control units. There are 2 of them in the system - one for each side of the car. In fact, they perform the following tasks:
- Control and tracking of all moving objects on the road.
- Distinguish moving objects from stationary ones - road poles, parked cars, road barriers.
- The control unit is also responsible for turning on a special warning sensor at the time of danger. By the way, if we talk directly about the signal lamp, then it turns on in the following 2 cases:
- Information mode. It is characterized by continuous burning of a lamp. It works when the interference is in the blind zone of the car.
- Warning mode. This is how the rebuild help system works. The indicator flashes continuously when changing lanes if there is an obstacle in the blind zone in the form of another road user. By the way, the system understands that the driver intends to rebuild by the included turn signal. If you try to rebuild without warning signal for other road users. The system will interfere with maneuver in every possible way.
Assistance when turning
During long turns, the system also does not stay idle, but actively helps the driver to maneuver. In fact, the control system helps the driver to stay on the calculated trajectory during the entire maneuver.
The device itself in electronic version creates a virtual lane with clear boundaries and does not allow the driver to go beyond them.
If the system for some reason does not cope with the corrective function, an emergency driver alert is activated - usually it is the vibration of the steering wheel and column, which will surely attract attention.
System differences depending on the manufacturer
In general, the traffic assistance system is an adapted name for all such active safety services. The original names of the systems differ depending on the manufacturer. By the way, the principle of operation itself may also differ slightly in places. So, let's understand the differences in more detail:
- Lane Assist - just the one on the example of which we analyzed in detail the features of the operation of all similar systems as a whole.
- Lane Departure Prevention is the development of infiniti. The difference from other systems is very significant and lies in the fact that when aligning the trajectory - this active safety service does not interfere with the steering, but does this by braking the wheels on one side of the car.
- Lane Keeping Assist from Mercedes-Benz uses exactly the same ultrasonic sensors in its work, which makes the system more accurate and, so to speak, long-range.
In general, similar systems with different names there are many more. However, in fact, only the names of the system that the developers gave them differ. Otherwise, the principles of operation remain similar, and the purpose of the entire system is completely the same - to ensure the safety of the driver and passengers when changing lanes or driving in a straight line in their own lane.
The only thing to consider is the quality of the road surface on which the system will work correctly. In fact, most Russian roads she simply does not fit because of her deplorable condition.
Not really
LDWS - Lane departure warning system) is an automotive option that allows the driver to stick to the selected road lane, preventing uncontrolled exit beyond its borders.
What is LDWS and what is it for?
The technology is designed to warn the driver that his car is about to leave the selected lane. Today, LDWS has grown from being an exclusive feature luxury cars into a feature found in many modern production vehicle models.
The importance of the lane departure warning system also continues to grow as distracted driving has become the scourge of modernity and more and more traffic accidents in the world is due to the fact that the driver was simply distracted and deviated from his lane. This happens both due to the inattention of the driver, and due to overwork or a banal sleep at the wheel.
How does the lane departure warning system work? 
While car manufacturers may use slightly different technologies for their warning systems, the essence of them remains the same. Be on a given trajectory of movement.
With cameras usually mounted next to the rearview mirror and/or in the front of the vehicle, on-board computer can determine the markings on the road. The vehicle then calculates the vehicle's position between the lane markings and controls the vehicle's movement along the road.
If the vehicle starts on one of these lanes and the turn signal is not activated, the computer will warn the driver that the vehicle is about to veer from the selected lane by sounding an audible signal or by some other means, such as vibration of the steering wheel or seat, or deafening sound.
Cadillac made the driver's seats in their cars vibrate on the side where the car is in contact with the marking line. Nissan decided to kill two birds with one stone, or rather one camera. The rear view camera also monitors road markings and the trajectory of the car relative to it. IN latest models cars presented on, the warning system discussed in this article was present in almost every new car model.
Some cars even use brake system vehicle to help steer the vehicle back into its lane. Although some systems behave more aggressively than others, the driver can still make some changes to them.
Why do I need a lane departure warning system?
Distraction can lead to the most unfortunate consequences. And in our time, there are a great many reasons that can distract us when we are driving a vehicle. Food, drinks, a stereo system, and even hands-free conversation can take your attention away from navigating the road.
It takes only a few seconds for a 2-ton vehicle to leave its path without the driver noticing it, the consequences of this can be very deplorable. Such systems provide an unobtrusive reminder to the driver about what is a priority on this moment, and advise him to focus all his attention on what he is currently doing: driving.
Are there any disadvantages to such systems?
An unobtrusive reminder of some automotive systems, may be too intrusive for the driver. Lane Departure Warning is one of them. In some cars, this system is set up so sensitively that it looks like you're about to lose control of the steering due to excessive vibration and warning beeps.
Novice drivers may not like the fact that the computer constantly tells them that they are rushing from side to side, although drivers from adjacent lanes will only be grateful for this system. It is also worth noting the fact that some systems have difficulty in working in dark time days and at bad weather, at the very time when the driver needs this system the most. In this case, you can draw your attention to the night vision system in the car, which we wrote about, but that's a completely different story.
Also, false alarms occur in the system, for example, when driving through a construction zone, where the lanes are displaced and the marking lines do not coincide with the trajectory of the car.
In addition, the presence of a lane departure warning system may unnecessarily increase the confidence of some drivers that they may be distracted by other large quantity things while they are driving a vehicle. The safety device must not be abused.
Which vehicles offer this system?
Lane Departure Warning has become mainstream in recent years, almost every car manufacturer provides their own warning system in their cars, although they have completely different names, for example Lane Departure Warning(lane departure warning), Lane Assist(heading assistant) or driver Assist(assistant driver). As a rule, these systems are bundled with other car options, such as active cruise control or a blind spot detection system, from which elementary can save. You can meet the LDWS system in Nissan vehicles 2013 Juke SL AWD, 2013 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG , various Audi models, Toyota and other car brands.
Summarize
Of course, it is a system that can make driving safer and that, if necessary, can "put you in your place." Of course, there would be no need for it at all if the driving process itself were in the first place for drivers, and not listening to music, talking on the phone, looking at a pair of pretty legs or sleeping at the wheel, but that's a completely different story.
Brake, brake!
Too late to conjure - I'm already on the hood.
Not pleasant, damn it, to get under the wheels - albeit at a speed of 10 km / h. I've already been to similar situation three and a half years ago. Then for the thousandth issue of the magazine "Behind the wheel" (ZR, No. 10, 2014) we tested Ford's City Safety system - and Focus butted me with pleasure so that I barely had time to jump aside.
And now the role of the experimental pedestrian went to me: I had to throw reflective vest and play suicide again. I didn’t drift because I was pretty sure I wouldn’t have to ride on the hood, because the bright era of autonomous driving is just around the corner.
In theory
Henrik Green, senior vice president of research and development firm Volvo Cars, is convinced that by 2021 his company will present a fully autonomous car. The Swedes are so confident of success that they have already signed a three-year agreement with Uber to supply 24,000 drones for the world's first robotic taxi fleet.
And BMW Chairman Harald Krüger has repeatedly stated that it is his brand that should become a leader in the field of autonomous driving. The year before last, the Bavarians signed a contract with Intel, which laid out a record $15 billion for the Israeli startup Mobileye. Now employees of a young company specializing in the creation of accident prevention systems are working day and night on the iNext project. New car i-line concern BMW will receive autonomous technologies of the maximum, fifth level. The deadline is the same - 2021. But in Munich they will do everything to get ahead of Volvo.
Engineering center Jaguar Land I visited Rover in Gaydon three years ago, and even then they knew how to surprise skeptics. But if in 2015 the test work did not go beyond the perimeter of the test site, then in November last year, the British enlisted the support of the authorities and released "drones" on the roads common use. As you read these lines, unmanned range rover with an engineer-supervisor in the driver's seat ironing the roads of Coventry. The British strive to teach the autopilot adequate actions in any conditions. Following in the footsteps of Volvo, they invested three million dollars in a promising driverless taxi service. Deal between subsidiary JLR called InMotion Ventures and American Voyage took place last month.
Meanwhile, less than three years remain until the moment of truth. Just over a thousand days! What are the electronic assistants on the cars of these brands today? Do Active Cruise Control and Lane Keeping Assist work adequately in a muddy and snowy winter? How do driver assistants deal with automatic parking? Finally, how do they act when they detect a pedestrian in their path?
In company by three premium crossovers we took a more accessible, but potentially no less capable Volkswagen Tiguan. The prototype of the unmanned vehicle Sedric (self-driving car) was shown by Volkswagen a year ago. So with the scientific base and ambitions of the Wolfsburg company, everything is in in perfect order.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
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Teacher's Day
Is it possible to wave a few tens of kilometers on the “cruise” and not touch the pedals? If you drive a Range Rover Velar, the answer is no. Unless a car with an extremely disciplined driver is driving directly in front of you, the answer "no" applies to all participants in our test. But still, the degree of confidence that is given in similar conditions subjects are by no means the same.
More often than others, glimpses of artificial intelligence are demonstrated by Tiguan. Moreover, for its active "cruise" you need to pay 14,500 rubles - seven times less than the buyer of the BMW X3 (102,500 rubles) will give for a similar option. To get an adaptive "cruise" for the Volvo XC60, you will have to order an option package for 192,600 rubles. With all due respect to the brand and its image - this is beyond.The test Velar in the average SE configuration at a price of 6.5 million rubles is deprived of “smart” cruise control in principle (the option is available in the top version of the HSE or in the Drive Pro package for 124 thousand). However, if you do not accelerate faster than 80 km / h, its functions will take over the usual "cruise" with a speed limiter and a collision avoidance system. Sounds good, but the bunch functions out of hand. And if, with smooth movement, radars more or less adequately assess the situation, then with a sharp slowdown in the flow of cars, Velar completely “clicks through” a dangerous moment. By the way, be in our car adaptive cruise-control, starting after stopping would still require pressing the accelerator. That's what I meant by the pedals.
The lane keeping system is also not a story about Velar, if you focus on average level equipment. The maximum that such a Range Rover is capable of, if you gape and the car starts to cross the markings, is to give a vibration signal and make the inhabitants of the cabin feel like “passengers” of a calling smartphone. But the test Volvo and BMW are able to stay in the band. True, clear markings are vital for both: “X-third” - strictly on both sides of the road, and “sixty” can “hook” from one edge. But when the markup quality deteriorates or something in electronic brains goes awry, and such situations are not uncommon, Volvo resigns as if at the snap of a finger. BMW acts more delicately: a few seconds before trying to arrive at the bump stop, it reminds you to take control.
Those who like to write text messages on the go should cut down on their nose what to rely on similar systems only possible if there are a couple more lives left.
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Trust in active cruise control Volvo and BMW is also not absolute, but it is much more. A misfire is possible only if someone from the stream turns on the "teacher mode" - builds in front of you at the last moment and hits the brakes. By imitating such a situation, we took control into our own hands, but in more or less regular situations, the XC60 and X3 brilliantly “read” the situation: they maintain a given distance and adequately slow down at the entrance to the turn following the car in front of them. Unless at the exit Volvo accelerates emphatically slowly. In order not to interfere with the management and not to “throw firewood”, you need to have strong nerves. Or an equally melancholy character.
And yet the best active "cruise" is with the Tiguan. The same one, for 14,500 rubles. Volkswagen is oriented in space faster than rivals; at the exit of the corner, he begins to accelerate after the car in front, and not when it is almost hidden behind the horizon. Driving a Volkswagen, I almost managed to overcome sixty kilometers from the Moscow Ring Road to Dmitrovsky auto-polygon without touching the pedals. I hit the brakes only twice: when the car in front slipped into a yellow traffic light (I would have gone to a red one) and when a pedestrian suddenly began to cross the road. Cars do not yet know how to stop on their own at red cars.
Do they see a person?
Invisible Man
Preparing to get into the shoes of a pedestrian again, I reassured myself that this time the cars were more expensive and more modern - which means they are smarter! On the other hand, instead of dry asphalt, there is a snow comb under the wheels ... As it turned out later, pavement plays almost no role in this scenario.
The first shell is a Range Rover. Autonomous system emergency braking- basic equipment of Velar. The front camera tracks pedestrians at speeds from 5 to 60 km/h. Sasha Vinogradov gets behind the wheel and accelerates to a harmless 10 km/h. If the car doesn't brake automatically, I'll be able to push off the hood and jump back.
Do not think that 10 km / h is a child's speed. Skill is needed! And the experience with Ford three years ago came in handy. Hands stretched forward - I rest against the edge of the hood approaching me - and, pushing off, I jump back!
We have tried every possible variation. They turned on cruise control, simulated the crossing of the carriageway and collision with standing man. The system has zero emotions! And the pedestrian has no chance not to get under the wheels if the driver gapes. One consolation: Velar in EuroNCAP tests has earned a high "pedestrian" rating - 74%. This means that it leaves the unfortunate pedestrian with much higher chances of survival than many other cars.The City Emergency Braking system, which is basic for all Tiguans, also flatly refused to see me as a hindrance. Yes, and EuroNCAP rated pedestrian protection at only 68%. An unfortunate failure after the brilliant work of active cruise control.
BMW X3 buyers have to pay extra for pedestrian safety, but, unlike Velar and Tiguan, the system at least works. At the same 10 km / h, our X3 accurately recognizes the “pin” in the vest and makes an effort not to get a strike. However, it still does not come to a complete stop. By incomprehensible reasons BMW slows down in two stages: the final stop occurs only after a poke at a pedestrian. Does not contribute to rapid deceleration and snow under the wheels.
Volvo notices a pedestrian in a vest, as they say, depending on the mood, and the speed drops extremely sluggishly. Maybe because, in the understanding of the Swedes, 10 km / h is already very slow? I might have dared to experiment with more high speeds, but the chief editor strictly forbade such childishness. Oh, if Henrik Green or Harald Kruger agreed to take my place! By the way, if you go on the warpath without a vest or other clothing without reflective surfaces, Volvo and BMW will try to crush you.
In a stall
Parking is perhaps the only exercise that electronics can perform so well that you can, albeit with a creak, believe in a bright autonomous future. But even here we could not identify a clear leader. Velar did not participate in the experiment - there was no car valet in our car (available by default in maximum configuration HSE or ordered as an option).
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The BMW parking pilot is good: it asks you whether you want to stand parallel or perpendicular, switches between drive and reverse on its own, and stops the car at the end of the maneuver. At the same time, X3 does not always quickly find free place, frustrating with the indistinct interface of the car parker and the need to hold the key on the console throughout the process. And if a person appears at the place of the proposed parking while driving, artificial intelligence is put out and does stupid things. BMW times reinsured over and over again and, pretending to be Smart, “sticked” himself across into the slot parallel parking. We conducted the experiment on a free site. And if there is a curb or a high fence behind?
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Volvo electronics, rotosey tangled under the wheels are parallel. Of course, the car will warn of danger, but it will not stop or deviate from the plan - pedestrians, take care of yourself! Even if there is not much space, the "sixty" will try to get into the "parallel" pocket. An experienced driver can do better, but for weekend drivers - what you need! Cons of the XC60 car valet - a must independent switching"drive" / "reverse", weak auxiliary graphics and difficulties in finding not too wide "perpendicular" places. The leader in terms of parking interface is Volkswagen. With the exception of a couple of not too precise maneuvers, Tiguan did everything confidently and correctly. Automatic shutdown valet parking when approaching a pedestrian is also good: it is better to try again than to cripple a person.
That would combine the capabilities of three machines - and automatic parking will work perfectly! It’s a pity that the same cannot be said about the pedestrian detection system and adaptive cruise control: even “pooled up”, all taken together, our wards are not able to form a guaranteed working and safe autopilot.
At the Detroit Auto Show, which took place exactly in the days of our tests, the president of the FCA concern (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles), Sergio Marchionne, said in a snap: “The soon autonomous and electric car future is an absolute fantasy! Manufacturers issue forecasts for promises, wishful thinking. And our concern will not go either way. In the next decade, for sure.Despite the impulsive nature of the Italian, I am ready to subscribe to his every word. Those elements of the autopilot that we see today on production cars, frankly raw, unreasonably expensive and almost useless. So, even if a self-driving taxi becomes a reality by 2021, it will happen in some single block of Silicon Valley. And we will count the routes that this technique will take on the fingers of one hand.
Erased or snow-covered markings are a stumbling block for lane control systems. Radars do not detect a pedestrian without reflective stripes on clothing. Crookedly parked cars don't help the parking pilot do his job. But the global problem is completely different: auxiliary electronics make mistakes even in greenhouse conditions. Then what can be the talk about unmanned taxis?
Dear Volvo, BMW, JLR and Volkswagen, can you prove otherwise to us?
Lane assist system (other names - Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Keeping Assist) helps the driver to stay in the selected lane and thereby prevent emergencies. The system is effective when driving on motorways and equipped federal roads, i.e. where there is good quality road markings.
There are two types of lane control systems: passive and active. passive system warns the driver of a deviation from the selected lane. The active system, along with the warning, corrects the trajectory of the movement.
Different car manufacturers have their own lane keeping system. trade names, but the proposed systems have basically a similar design:
- lane assist from Audi, Volkswagen, SEAT;
- Lane Departure Warning System from BMW, Citroen, Kia, Ceneral Motors, Opel, Volvo;
- Lane Departure Prevention from Infiniti;
- Lane Keep Assist System from Honda, Fiat;
- Lane Keeping Aid from Ford;
- Lane Keeping Assist from Mercedes-Benz;
- Lane Keeping Support System from Nissan;
- Lane Monitoring System from Toyota.
The lane keeping assistance system is an electronic system and includes a control key, a video camera, a control unit and actuators. The control key is used to turn on the system. The key may be located on the turn signal lever, instrument panel or center console.
The video camera records an image at a certain distance from the vehicle and digitizes it. The system uses a monochrome camera that recognizes lane markings as a sudden change in grayscale. The camera is integrated with the control unit. The combined unit is located on the windshield behind the rear-view mirror.
The actuating devices of the lane keeping assistance system are a warning lamp, sound signal, vibration motor on the steering wheel, a heating element windshield, electromechanical power steering motor.
Information about the operation of the system is displayed on the instrument panel in the form control lamp. The driver is warned by vibration of the steering wheel, as well as visual sound and light signals. Vibration is generated by a vibration motor built into the steering wheel.
The heating element is located on windshield, automatically turns on when necessary, eliminates fogging and icing of the camera window.
Correction of the trajectory of movement is carried out by forced steering of the steering system using an electromechanical power steering (most systems) or by braking the wheels on one side of the vehicle (Lane Departure Prevention system).
During work active system Lane assist provides the following main functions:
- lane trajectory recognition;
- visual information about the system operation;
- correction of the trajectory of movement;
- driver warning.
The situation in front of the car is projected onto the photosensitive matrix of the camera and converted into a black and white image, which is analyzed electronic unit management.
The operation algorithm of the control unit determines the position of the lane marking lines, evaluates the quality of the marking recognition, calculates the width of the lane and its curvature, and calculates the position of the car on the lane. Based on the calculations carried out, a control action is carried out on steering(brake system), and if the desired effect of keeping the car on the lane is not achieved, the driver is warned (steering wheel vibration, sound and light signals).
It should be noted that the amount of torque applied to the steering mechanism (braking force on two wheels on one side of the car) is small and can be overcome by the driver at any time.
When deliberately changing lanes from one lane to another, the turn signal must be turned on, otherwise the system will interfere with the maneuver. At adverse conditions (lack of one line or all markings, polluted or snow-covered roadway, narrow lane, non-standard markings on repaired areas, small radius turns) the system is deactivated.
There are three modes of operation of the lane keeping assist system:
- the system is turned on and activated ( active mode);
- system enabled and disabled ( passive mode);
- the system is off.
