In the United States, Iteris’ second-generation LDW systems are now available to fleets for direct aftermarket sales and can also be purchased for aftermarket installation at multiple original equipment manufacturer (OEM) factory modification centers, the maker said. The second-generation system has been field tested by three national truck fleets and one OEM.

According to Iteris, it recently began initial production on the second-generation LDW systems in Europe, fulfilling orders from DaimlerChrysler for its Mercedes-Benz Actros heavy trucks. Iteris’ second-generation LDW system offers drivers more robust performance features that have been designed into the system’s new proprietary software. Pioneered by Iteris, the first LDW system has been in production since 2000 when it made its European debut in Mercedes-Benz Actros trucks. It is currently the only product of its kind available as both an OEM and an aftermarket option for commercial trucks, according to the company. More than 20,000 LDW systems have been sold for commercial truck platforms in the United States and Europe with an estimated billion miles traveled per year. In the United States, there are 24 fleets specifying the Iteris LDW system and another 47 fleets conducting field tests, the company said.

Iteris said its second generation LDW system offers advanced features including:

• Single-Line Tracking – The new LDW system requires visibility of just one lane marking in order to accurately track the truck’s position within the lane and emit a warning. It can track either the center or sideline. This results in greater system availability in the United States on the many roads that only have centerlines and in Europe on roads with only a fog line.

• Improved Curve Tracking – Improvements have been made to more accurately track lane marks through tighter curves. As a result, further reductions relative to the first generation’s already low false alarm rate can be expected.

• Lighting Conditions – Improvements have been made to enhance performance across a broader range of lighting conditions including heavy glare.

• Volume Control – The volume level of the audible warnings can be easily modified by truck fleets for minimum/maximum impact.

Iteris developed its vision-based LDW technology to help address inadvertent lane changes caused by distracted, inattentive or drowsy drivers. According to preliminary estimates just released by the U.S. Department of Transportation, truck deaths could hit a six-year high after increasing for the third year in a row. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration also recently stated that "more work needs to be done to reverse this growth rate by focusing on driver behavior and factors that cause crashes."

For more information, visit www.iteris.com.