Accident avoidance

GM and Delphi are testing adaptive cruise control and collision-warning technologies in the hope of ultimately increasing driver awareness and reducing driving behaviors that can lead to accidents.

General Motors and Delphi Corp. have developed a forward collision-warning system and an adaptive cruise control system that are designed to reduce rear-end collisions. They are testing the systems in a fleet of 10 Buick LeSabres, which will be driven by a group of 80 randomly selected drivers in Michigan over a 10-month span.

The systems use forward-looking radar to both warn drivers of potential collisions and to maintain highway cruising speed without following other vehicles too closely. The purpose of the study is to learn what effect the presence of the systems has on drivers' behavior, and how well drivers like the systems' calibration and interface.