Lane Departure Warning's Next Generation Using Smart Turn Signals 2008-01-1260

Documented safety improvements and widespread acceptance of Lane Departure Warning (LDW) Systems have exceeded most safety performance estimates and projections, particularly in the long-hauler fleet truck market. However, current LDW systems have a common weakness relating to interactions with the turn signal. The mechanical turn signal on/off status is the “gatekeeper” to determine if the LDW alerts the driver or not. Incorporating Smart Turn Signals (STS) that use existing vehicle sensors and bus networks in place of the traditional trip mechanism not only improves turn signal performance, but also augments the LDW system to improve its accuracy and performance as well. Although a simple and straightforward concept, the combination of LDW and STS further improves vehicle safety.