Ford fine-tuning Traffic Jam Assist using radar, cameras to speed vehicle along

Detroit Free Press - Ford is working to keep pace with the competition and has developed technology prototypes to navigate traffic and park perfectly.

The automaker is researching intelligent driving features similar to those that will be offered by other carmakers in an industry making rapid progress in the development of a self-driving car.

Autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles that detect their surroundings and respond by steering, braking or issuing warnings are being touted as the way to achieve safer and more efficient traffic flow on increasingly congested roads.

Executive Chairman Bill Ford is pushing the automaker's efforts to improve vehicles and mobility through technology.

At a media event to showcase Ford's 2013 model lineup today, the automaker talked about its Traffic Jam assist technology that uses radar and cameras to keep a vehicle in its lane and respond to the traffic around it, slowing, stopping and accelerating as needed.

"Drivers spend more than 30% of their time in heavy traffic," said Ford engineer Joseph Urhahne. "Traffic Jam Assist could help make traveling through congestion a more relaxing experience and, by keeping pace with the flow of traffic, potentially help relieve road congestion."

Ford said this is technology being developed for the "mid term" but many of the sensing technologies already are available on Ford models including the Focus, Escape and Fusion.

Mercedes, Audi and BMW are working on versions of Traffic Jam Assist and could be on the road before Ford's technology.

General Motors has a "lane center" system that steers within the lane while adaptive cruise control matches speed to cars in front. A semi-autonomous prototype Cadillac SRX with "super cruise" technology can drive itself but needs manual override to change lanes or pass. The technology is still a few years from going into production but GM has a raft of new driver-assist technologies debuting on the 2013 Cadillac XTS.

Ford's other prototype unveiled Tuesday is an advanced version of active park assist – which does parallel parking – and adds hands-free perpendicular parking.

Sensors identify suitable parking spaces by width and then the car would back into the spot with power-assisted steering.

"Developing these technologies is part of the first step in a journey toward a more connected future," said Paul Mascarenas, Ford chief technical officer. "It's an undertaking we believe will save time, conserve resources, lower emissions, improve safety and help reduce driver stress."

Simulations show if one in four vehicles on the road have the technology to automatically follow the traffic flow, trip times can be reduced by 37.5% and there are 20% fewer delays.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is encouraging this new field of research as a means for safety to take a big leap forward.