Forward Collision Warning Systems

Forward collision warning systems (FCWS) are in-vehicle electronic systems that monitor the roadway in front of the host vehicle and warn the driver when a potential collision risk exists. For example, currently available radar-based systems use algorithms to interpret transmitted and received radar signals with the FCWS to determine distance, azimuth, and relative speed between the host vehicle and the vehicle or object ahead of it in the lane. When the host vehicle is traveling along the roadway, FCWS can warn the driver when a vehicle or object is in its lane within a predefined closing time threshold. Currently, FCWS do not take any automatic action to avoid a collision or to control the vehicle; therefore, drivers remain responsible for the safe operation of their vehicles using both steering and braking, if safe to do so, to avoid a crash.