View source for Engineering:Automated Lane Keeping Systems

{{short description|Autonomous driving system}}

'''Automated Lane Keeping Systems''' ('''ALKS'''), also described as '''traffic jam chauffeur''',<ref>{{Cite web |title=Under the skin: How the new automated lane system will work |url=https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/technology/under-skin-how-new-automated-lane-system-will-work |access-date=2022-05-23 |website=Autocar |language=en}}</ref> is an [[Engineering:Self-driving car|autonomous driving]] system that doesn't require driver supervision on motorways. ALKS is an international standard set out in UN-ECE regulation 157 and amounts to [[Engineering:Self-driving car#Classifications|Level 3]] vehicle automation.<ref name="Unece"/> It is essentially a more robust combination of [[Engineering:Adaptive cruise control|adaptive cruise control]] (ACC) and [[Engineering:Lane centering|lane centering assist]] (LCA). When activated, it allows the driver to do non-driving tasks until alerted otherwise.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theengineer.co.uk/comment-choosing-the-right-lane-for-alks-autonomy/|title = Comment: Choosing the right lane for ALKS autonomy|date = 24 January 2022}}</ref>

== History ==
In 2021, Mercedes-Benz has received German approval for an ALKS self-driving technology complying with UN-R157 legal requirements.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/manufacturer-news/2021/12/09/mercedes-benz-self-driving-car-technology-approved-for-use |title=Mercedes-Benz self-driving car technology approved for use |first=Gareth |last=Roberts |work=Fleet news |location=UK |date=2021-12-09 |access-date=2022-06-21}}</ref>
{{blockquote|Mercedes-Benz says that customers will be able to buy an [[Engineering:Mercedes-Benz S-Class|S-Class]] with the Drive Pilot technology in the first half of 2022, enabling them to drive in conditionally automated mode at speeds of up to 60 km/h (37mph) in heavy traffic or congested situations on suitable stretches of motorway in Germany.}}

The regulation was signed by 54 states on 22 January 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XI-B-16-157&chapter=11&clang=_en | title=United Nations Regulation No. 157. Uniform provisions concerning the approval of vehicles with regard to Automated Lane Keeping Systems |work=United Nations Treaty Collection |location=Geneva |date=2020-06-24}}</ref>

Entry into force in the European Union is 22 January 2022 for cars.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/389/oj |title=UN Regulation No 157 – Uniform provisions concerning the approval of vehicles with regards to Automated Lane Keeping Systems [2021/389] PUB/2021/79 |journal=Official Journal of the European Union |id=42021X0389 |date=2021-03-09 |access-date=2022-06-21}}</ref>

Entry into force is planned for June 2022 for heavy vehicles.

Initially, the regulation allows for automated driving up to {{cvt|60|km/h|mph|round=5}}. An amendment for an increased speed for automated driving up to {{cvt|130|km/h|mph|round=5}} is planned to enter into force from January 2023.<ref>{{ cite web|date=22 June 2022 |title=UN Regulation extends automated driving up to 130 km/h in certain conditions |url=https://unece.org/media/transport/Vehicle-Regulations/press/368227 |website=UNECE |access-date=10 July 2022 }}</ref>

== Regulation ==
In all contracting countries, the date of entry into force of UNECE regulation 157 is 22 January 2021.<ref name="CN.53.2021-Eng">{{cite web |url=https://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/CN/2021/CN.53.2021-Eng.pdf |title=Agreement concerning the adoption of harmonized technical United Nations regulations for wheeled vehicles, equipment and parts which can be fitted and/or be used on wheeled vehicles and the conditions for reciprocal recognition of approvals granted on the basis of these United Nations regulations |publisher=United Nations |location=Geneva |id=C.N.53.2021.TREATIES-XI.B.16.157 |date=1958-03-20 |access-date=2022-06-21}}</ref>

{{blockquote|Within six months from the date of depositary notification C.N.297.2020.TREATIES-XI.B.16 of 22 July 2020 by which the Secretary-General transmitted to the Governments of the Contracting Parties the text of draft United Nations Regulation No. 157, none of the Contracting Parties to the Agreement notified the Secretary-General of their intention not to apply the said United Nations Regulation on the date of its entry into force, under paragraphs 3 and 4 of article 1 of the Agreement.

Therefore, following Article 1 (3) of the Agreement, the draft United Nations Regulation is adopted as United Nations Regulation No. 157. Per paragraphs, 3 and 4 of article 1 of the Agreement, the date of entry into force of United Nations Regulation No. 157 for all Contracting Parties is 22 January 2021.|The Secretary-General of the United Nations, 1 February 2021<ref name="CN.53.2021-Eng" />}}

== Requirements ==
ALKS requires multiple criteria:<ref name="Unece">{{cite press release |url=https://unece.org/transport/press/un-regulation-automated-lane-keeping-systems-milestone-safe-introduction-automated |title=UN Regulation on Automated Lane Keeping Systems is milestone for safe introduction of automated vehicles in traffic |publisher=UNECE |date=2020-06-24 |access-date=2022-06-21}}</ref>

* driver seated, attached and available;
* proper functioning of the Data Storage System for Automated Driving (DSSAD);
* motorway type lane: road prohibited to pedestrians and cyclists equipped with a physical separation between the two directions of traffic;
* other weather conditions.

=== Collision avoidance features ===

ALKS deals with some cases of [[Engineering:Collision avoidance system|collision avoidance]].

ALKS defines some concepts:
{{blockquote|'' Imminent collision risk'' describes a situation or an event which leads to a ''' collision''' of the vehicle with another road user or an obstacle which cannot be '''avoided''' by a braking demand with lower than 5 m/s|Uniform provisions concerning the approval of vehicles about automated lane-keeping systems|title=|source=}}

{{blockquote|'' Emergency Manoeuvre (EM)'' is a maneuver performed by the system in case of an event in which the vehicle is at imminent ''' collision''' risk and has the purpose of '''avoiding''' or mitigating a collision.|Uniform provisions concerning the approval of vehicles about automated lane-keeping systems|title=|source=}}

{{blockquote|The activated system shall not cause any collisions that are reasonably foreseeable and preventable. If a '''collision''' can be safely '''avoided''' without causing another one, it shall be '''avoided'''. When the vehicle is involved in a detectable ''' collision''', the vehicle shall be brought to a standstill.|Uniform provisions concerning the approval of vehicles concerning automated lane-keeping systems|title=|source=}}

{{blockquote|The activated system shall detect the distance to the next vehicle in front as defined in paragraph 7.1.1. and shall adapt the vehicle speed to '''avoid collision'''.|Uniform provisions concerning the approval of vehicles about automated lane-keeping systems|title=|source=}}

{{blockquote|The activated system shall be able to bring the vehicle to a complete stop behind a stationary vehicle, a stationary road user, or a blocked lane of travel to '''avoid''' a ''' collision'''. This shall be ensured up to the maximum operational speed of the system.|Uniform provisions concerning the approval of vehicles concerning automated lane-keeping systems|title=|source=}}

{{blockquote|The activated system shall avoid a collision with a leading vehicle (...)

The activated system shall avoid a collision with a cutting in the vehicle (...)

The activated system shall avoid a collision with an unobstructed crossing pedestrian in front of the vehicle.|Uniform provisions concerning the approval of vehicles concerning automated lane-keeping systems|title=|source=}}

{{blockquote|This document clarifies the derivation process to define conditions under which ''automated lane-keeping systems'' (ALKS) shall '''avoid''' a ''' collision'''|Uniform provisions concerning the approval of vehicles about automated lane-keeping systems,
Guidance on traffic disturbance critical scenarios for ALKS|title=|source=}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{Self-driving cars and enabling technologies}}

[[Category:Advanced driver assistance systems]]

{{Sourceattribution|Automated Lane Keeping Systems|1}}