Advanced driver assistance systems
An increasing number of vehicles are equipped with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). These onboard electronic systems assist the driver with various driving tasks.
The most common systems are cruise control, lane keeping/centering and blind spot warnings. However, there are many others.
Most auto manufacturers install at least one of these systems in their vehicles.
The driver must stay in control of the vehicle at all times
Drivers must always keep their eyes on the road to stay in control of the vehicle, regardless of how many advanced driver assistance systems are activated. Although advanced driver assistance systems may seem reliable, they must be supervised by the driver. Advanced driver assistance systems do not render the vehicle autonomous or self-driving. These systems are designed to only be used in specific situations.
Definition
Advanced driver assistance systems use sensors and software among other devices to help drivers with certain driving tasks, for example:
- staying in the lane
- parking
- avoiding crashes
- reducing blind spots, etc.
Advanced driver assistance systems are designed to improve road safety for the driver of the vehicle and the passengers. Studies have shown that these systems can reduce the number of traffic accidents. These automated systems help drivers adapt their driving and improve vehicle operation. They can also provide driver support and a sense of reassurance to drivers.
Different systems
These advanced driver assistance systems vary from one manufacturer and one vehicle to another. Some systems issue a warning to the driver in the form of a sound, light and/or vibration.
To use these systems properly, drivers need to understand how they work and their capabilities, as well as learn about their vehicle’s specific automated features. To do so, it is highly recommended that you read your owner’s manual that explains how the vehicle’s advanced driver assistance systems work and how you should use them.
Some advanced driver assistance systems may not work properly in rainy or snowy conditions. The sensors used to collect the data on the driving environment may become obstructed by rain or snow, rendering the system inoperable.
Here is an overview of the most common advanced driver assistance systems:
This system warns drivers when the vehicle is too close to the lane markings on the road or when the vehicle leaves its lane without the turn signal activated.
- The warning signal may be audible, visual and/or sensory—your may feel the steering wheel or your seat vibrate.
Lane keeping assistance helps drivers correct the vehicle’s trajectory.
- Most lane keeping assistance systems use a forward-facing camera that detects lane markings in front of the vehicle. This type of system applies a brief corrective action (steering or braking), or it can provide additional steering force and make a warning sound if your vehicle starts to drift outside the lane without the turn signal activated.
- Some systems also assist with keeping the vehicle centred within the lane.
- Some systems can suddenly malfunction.
Blind spot warning systems use sensors to detect vehicles that the driver cannot see because they are in the vehicle’s blind spot.
- Blind spots are areas to the side and rear of your vehicle that are outside your view.
- Blind spot warning systems cannot replace your attention or judgement because they do not detect all types of vehicles and will not warn you of their presence.
Forward collision warning systems detect obstacles in the vehicle’s path, for example slow traffic or a stopped vehicle.
- The warning signal may be audible, visual and/or sensory—you may feel your seat vibrating or brakes pulsing.
- The system may give you a delayed warning, or it may not work if your vehicle is moving too fast.
- The forward collision warning may be paired with the automatic emergency braking system. If you do not react to the forward collision warning, the automatic emergency braking system may be activated to reduce your vehicle’s speed or bring it to a stop.
Automatic emergency braking systems use sensors to detect a potential collision with the vehicle travelling ahead or obstacles in your vehicle’s path.
- The system will automatically apply the brakes to reduce the severity of the collision or avoid it entirely.
- Automatic emergency braking systems do not always detect other vehicles or objects around the vehicle. You should always keep your eyes on the road because if you need to avoid a collision, the driver is the only person who is able to maintain control of the vehicle should the system fail.
An adaptive cruise control system reduces or accelerates the vehicle’s travelling speed to maintain a constant distance between your vehicle and the one travelling ahead.
- In the absence of a vehicle ahead, an automatic cruise control system maintains the speed set by the driver and controls the accelerator much like conventional cruise control.
Transport Canada has created a complete list of the types of driver assistance systems and their various names. Note that auto manufacturers may use different names for the systems they install in their vehicles.
Advantages and limitations to these systems
These systems have advantages and limitations.
| Advanced Driver Assistance Systems | |
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| Advantages | Limitations |
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Levels of driving automation
Auto manufacturers and high-tech companies are working to make vehicles increasingly automated. These vehicles are assigned a level of automation based on the number and type of advanced driver assistance systems they have onboard.
SAE International has established 6 levels of driving automation that classify the various advanced driver assistance systems used to perform driving tasks. This 6-level driving automation classification has become the standard used by the automotive industry and governments worldwide.
Based on the SAE International’s 6 levels of driving automation, the advanced driver assistance systems generally found in today’s vehicles are classified as Level 1 or 2. At these levels of automation, the onboard technology assists the driver. This means that operating the vehicle is the driver’s responsibility. Regardless of how many advanced driver assistance systems are activated, the driver must remain focused on the task of driving.
Pilot project
Note that in Québec, SAE Level 3, 4 and 5 vehicles, with the exception of federally approved Level 3 vehicles, are currently the subject of a pilot project. Visit the SAAQ’s Road Safety in an Autonomous Vehicle web page for more details on this pilot project.
Last update: July 25, 2025