Automated lane keeping systems


Automated lane keeping systems, also described as traffic jam chauffeurs, is an 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 Level 3 vehicle automation. It is essentially a more robust combination of adaptive cruise control and lane centering assist. When activated, it allows the driver to do non-driving tasks until alerted otherwise.

History

In 2021, Mercedes-Benz has received German approval for an ALKS self-driving technology complying with UN-R157 legal requirements.
The regulation was signed by 54 states on 22 January 2021.
Entry into force in the European Union is 22 January 2022 for cars.
Entry into force is planned for June 2022 for heavy vehicles.
Initially, the regulation allows for automated driving up to. An amendment for an increased speed for automated driving up to is planned to enter into force from January 2023.

Regulation

In all contracting countries, the date of entry into force of UNECE regulation 157 is 22 January 2021.

Transition period

ALKS’s standard safety concept defines a 10 seconds transition period so that human driver must remain able to respond to a system request so that the human driver assume control of the vehicle when driving system do not do it anymore:
;Transition demand: "is a logical and intuitive procedure to transfer the Dynamic Driving Task from the system to the human driver. This request is given from the system to the human driver."
;Transition phase: "means the duration of the transition demand."
When local law allows the human driver to focus on non-driving tasks such as reading a book or watching a video while the automated driving system is engaged, a liability question may be raised following a takeover request: who own the liability once the 10 seconds transition period has achieved?
In the United Kingdom, the 10 seconds transition period is questioned regarding the driver capacity to take back control quickly and safely.

Requirements

ALKS requires multiple criteria:
  • driver seated, attached and available;
  • proper functioning of the Data Storage System for Automated Driving ;
  • 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 collision avoidance.
ALKS defines some concepts: