Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a vehicle system is provided that includes a sensor array and a processor. The sensor array is configured to generate vehicle sensor data pertaining to a target vehicle in proximity to the vehicle. The processor is coupled to the sensor array, and is configured to at least facilitate: beginning an overtake maneuver for the vehicle, via instructions provided to the drive system, when conditions for an overtake of the target vehicle by the vehicle are initially determined by the processor to be valid; subsequent to the beginning of the overtake maneuver, determining via the processor whether the conditions for the overtake of the target vehicle are still valid, based on updated sensor data reflecting variant traffic conditions; and further controlling the overtake maneuver based on the determining as to whether the conditions for the overtake of the target vehicle are still valid.

Abstract: A system and method of detecting and mitigating an erratic vehicle by a host vehicle. The method includes gathering sensor information on a calibratable external region surrounding the host vehicle; analyzing the sensor information to detect a target vehicle traveling in a lane and a movement of the target vehicle in the lane; determining whether the movement of the target vehicle in the lane is erratic; if erratic then designating target vehicle as erratic vehicle; assigning a risk score to the erratic vehicle; and implementing a predetermined mitigating action correlating to the assigned risk score to the erratic vehicle. The mitigating action includes one or more of: warning an operator of the host vehicle, warning a vehicle proximal to the host vehicle, and taking at least partial control of the host vehicle to further distance the host vehicle apart from the erratic vehicle.

Abstract: Vehicles and related systems and methods are provided for controlling a vehicle in an autonomous operating mode. One method involves a controller associated with a vehicle identifying a visual attention state associated with a driver of the vehicle based at least in part on output of an imaging device onboard the vehicle, determining, based at least in part on the visual attention state, a driver lane preference corresponding to an adjacent lane in a visual attention direction relative to a current lane of travel for the vehicle, adjusting a priority associated with the adjacent lane corresponding to the driver lane preference and autonomously operating one or more actuators onboard the vehicle to initiate maneuvering the vehicle from the current lane in a manner that is influenced by the adjusted priority associated with the adjacent lane.

Abstract: Vehicles and related systems and methods are provided for controlling a vehicle in an autonomous operating mode. One method involves identifying one or more avoidance zones in a vicinity of the vehicle, determining a deadline for completing a lateral maneuver to avoid a priority avoidance zone of the one or more avoidance zones, obtaining an initial reference lateral trajectory for the lateral maneuver based at least in part on the deadline, autonomously operating one or more actuators onboard the vehicle in accordance with the initial reference lateral trajectory, and thereafter obtaining one or more updated reference lateral trajectories for the vehicle, wherein the one or more actuators onboard the vehicle are autonomously operated in accordance with the one or more updated reference lateral trajectories in lieu of the initial reference lateral trajectory.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a vehicle system is provided that includes a sensor array and a processor. The sensor array is configured to generate vehicle sensor data pertaining to a target vehicle in proximity to the vehicle. The processor is coupled to the sensor array, and is configured to at least facilitate: beginning an overtake maneuver for the vehicle, via instructions provided to the drive system, when conditions for an overtake of the target vehicle by the vehicle are initially determined by the processor to be valid; subsequent to the beginning of the overtake maneuver, determining via the processor whether the conditions for the overtake of the target vehicle are still valid, based on updated sensor data reflecting variant traffic conditions; and further controlling the overtake maneuver based on the determining as to whether the conditions for the overtake of the target vehicle are still valid.

Abstract: A system and method of detecting and mitigating an erratic vehicle by a host vehicle. The method includes gathering sensor information on a calibratable external region surrounding the host vehicle; analyzing the sensor information to detect a target vehicle traveling in a lane and a movement of the target vehicle in the lane; determining whether the movement of the target vehicle in the lane is erratic; if erratic then designating target vehicle as erratic vehicle; assigning a risk score to the erratic vehicle; and implementing a predetermined mitigating action correlating to the assigned risk score to the erratic vehicle. The mitigating action includes one or more of: warning an operator of the host vehicle, warning a vehicle proximal to the host vehicle, and taking at least partial control of the host vehicle to further distance the host vehicle apart from the erratic vehicle.