Cruise or speed control allows the vehicle driver to automatically maintain a specific speed, even going up inclines. This automotive technology has been around for nearly a century in one form or another. Although the early applications where primarily used in luxury vehicles, current automotive applications are more the norm than the exception.
Typical Cruise Control Operation
The vast majority of factory installed cruise control systems have activation buttons that are incorporated into the vehicle’s steering wheel. Systems that are installed as an add-on accessory are generally incorporated into an arm mechanism extended from the steering column. Typical operating controls include
- on
- off
- resume
- set (+)
- coast (-)
The first step to activate the system is to use the on function. Next the set function is used and cruise control is set for the speed the actual vehicle is traveling at the time of activation. Depressing the vehicle brake pedal will temporarily deactivate the system. To continue at the preset speed, simply use the resume function.
The set (+) and coast (-) controls can also be used to increase the vehicle’s speed without resetting the system. Each time the set (+) or coast (-) functions are used the car’s speed will increase or decrease by one mile per hour. For example if the coast (-) function is pressed 5 times the vehicle speed will increase by 5 miles per hour.
The Addition of Adaptive Cruise Control
The actual operating functionality is basically the same between adaptive cruise control and past and current systems. With the addition of this new technology, the system uses a microwave radar unit or camera that’s located in the front of the vehicle to monitor objects to a range of about 500 feet.
If a vehicle (or other object) is detected with the prescribed range, the unit will send a signal to the vehicle onboard computer to automatically apply the brakes. Once the object is no longer within the prescribed range, the computer will send a signal to accelerator to the preset cruise control speed.
Adaptive Speed Control Safety
Since rear-end collision compromise the majority of vehicle accidents, the implications to safety using adaptive cruise control are tremendous. Since severe weather conditions like fog, rain and snow does not affect the operation of this new technology, obstructed vision due to severe weather conditions can create a much safer driving environment. Driver inattention to traffic conditions can also be a factor to rear-end collisions.
As of the 2012 vehicle model year only a small handful of models are using adaptive cruise control. As this new technology advances and the production costs are minimized, hopefully adaptive cruise control will be the norm than the exception.
Source:
J.D. Powers, website accessed October 30, 2011, http://www.jdpower.com/autos/articles/Adaptive-Cruise-Control/
James Clausen - Clausen received a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration in Automotive Management and Marketing at Northwood University, graduating ...
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