Abstract: A method and apparatus that perform threat zone assessment in a host vehicle are provided. The method includes detecting a target vehicle in a nonadjacent lane with respect to the host vehicle, determining dimensions of the detected target vehicle, a type of the detected target vehicle, and geometry of a road on which the detected target vehicle and the host vehicle are traveling, calculating the threat zone based on the dimensions of the detected target vehicle, the type of the detected target vehicle, or the geometry of the road on which the detected target vehicle and the host vehicle are traveling, and controlling the host vehicle to avoid the calculated threat zone by accelerating the host vehicle, decelerating the host vehicle, or aborting a lane change by the host vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle, system for operating the vehicle and method of activating a control system is disclosed. The system includes a sensor for detecting lane markings of a driving lane, a road wheel angle sensor configured to measure a road wheel angle of the vehicle, and a processor. The processor is configured to determine a distance of the vehicle from a central line of a driving lane form the detected lane markings, adjust an angular threshold for activation of the control system of the vehicle based on the determined distance, and activate the control system when the road wheel angle is within the angular threshold.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle, system and method of operating an autonomous vehicle. The system includes a processor for operating an external condition awareness module, a driver driving behavior awareness module and an escalator module: The external condition awareness module is configured to determine an intelligent escalation factor based on an external condition of an environment and driving traffic conditions of the autonomous vehicle. The driver driving behavior awareness module is configured to generate a behavior disciplining factor based on a behavior history of a driver of the autonomous vehicle. The escalation module is configured to generate an escalation signal to alert the driver based on the intelligent escalation factor and the behavior disciplining factor, a driver attention level and a speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that perform threat zone assessment in a host vehicle are provided. The method includes detecting a target vehicle in a nonadjacent lane with respect to the host vehicle, determining dimensions of the detected target vehicle, a type of the detected target vehicle, and geometry of a road on which the detected target vehicle and the host vehicle are traveling, calculating the threat zone based on the dimensions of the detected target vehicle, the type of the detected target vehicle, or the geometry of the road on which the detected target vehicle and the host vehicle are traveling, and controlling the host vehicle to avoid the calculated threat zone by accelerating the host vehicle, decelerating the host vehicle, or aborting a lane change by the host vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle, system for operating the vehicle and method of activating a control system is disclosed. The system includes a sensor for detecting lane markings of a driving lane, a road wheel angle sensor configured to measure a road wheel angle of the vehicle, and a processor. The processor is configured to determine a distance of the vehicle from a central line of a driving lane form the detected lane markings, adjust an angular threshold for activation of the control system of the vehicle based on the determined distance, and activate the control system when the road wheel angle is within the angular threshold.