Lane Departure Warning System
By using a Forward Facing Camera Module (FFCM) installed behind the rearview mirror and in contact with the windshield, the Lane Departure Warning (LDW) system sees the lines painted on the road to determine an unintended lane departure. A sensor, fitted in the windshield near the interior rear view mirror, measures the horizontal road signs and the position of the vehicle in relation to them. If the vehicle is travelling in the middle of the lane, then the system does not intervene. If the lane departure is deemed unintentional, the LDW system will visually and audibly warn the vehicle operator of the lane change.
The system is not on when the vehicle is started. The system can be partially activated or deactivated via a specific button on the steering column stalk. The LED on the button provides information on system status. When activated, the system starts recognizing operating conditions (condition signaled to the driver by the LED located on the button and the blinking of the icon on the instrument panel display.
The system can be switched off automatically in the following conditions:
- The driver's hands are not on the steering wheel: the signal will appear in the instrument panel and, after a few seconds, a buzzer sounds until the driver places their hands back on the steering wheel or, as this situation is dangerous, the system will cut out automatically
- Intervention of vehicle safety systems (Automatic Brake System and Electric Power Steering/EPS).
The automatic switching off is signaled to the driver by three consecutive acoustic warnings and the message in the instrument panel display.
OPERATION OVERVIEW
The main component of the LDW system is the FFCM. The camera mounts near the rear view mirror and communicates on the Controller Area Network (CAN) - C bus. The camera also has a dedicated private can bus that connects directly to the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) module and that is used for Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and ACC. The camera has the ability to detect alignment faults and is adjusted similar to the smart beam camera.
The FFCM has the ability to detect the contrast of the surface of the pavement and the white or yellow lines up to 30 meters (98 feet). Roads that are not marked or that have extremely worn markings may not be detected by the camera which will disable the system.
- The system uses a FFCM to detect and measure the position of the vehicle within the lane marker borders.
- In case of drifting towards another lane (direction indicator not on), the system will provide a visual warning and an auditory warning by means of the radio system speakers.
- The system can be activated/deactivated using the vehicle menu.
- The system can be bypassed by the driver by using a different method: using the direction indicators.
- When activated, the system works at speeds higher than 60 km/h (37 mph) and lower than 180 km/h (110 mph).
- The system is deactivated automatically when a safety system such as Automatic Brake System, Traction Control System (TCS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), FCW or other is activated.