Systems and methods for navigating lane merges and lane splits

A method for navigating a host vehicle, the method comprising:

• receiving a plurality of images acquired by an image capture device, the plurality of images being representative of an environment of the host vehicle;
• analyzing, by at least one processing device, at least one of the plurality of images to identify a target vehicle traveling in a lane of a road;
• analyzing at least one of the plurality of images to identify at least one lane mark associated with the lane in which the target vehicle is traveling;
• determining at least one characteristic of the target vehicle based on at least one of the plurality of images, wherein the at least one determined characteristic of the target vehicle includes a detected motion of the target vehicle relative to the at least one identified lane mark;
• and
• determining a navigational action for the host vehicle based on the determined characteristic of the target vehicle.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by at least processor to perform a method for navigating a host vehicle, the method comprising:

• receiving a plurality of images acquired by an image capture device, the plurality of images being representative of an environment of the host vehicle;
• analyze at least one of the plurality of images to identify a target vehicle traveling in a lane of a road;
• analyze at least one of the plurality of images to identify at least one lane mark associated with the lane in which the target vehicle is traveling;
• determine at least one characteristic of the target vehicle based on at least one of the plurality of images, wherein the at least one determined characteristic of the target vehicle includes a detected motion of the target vehicle relative to the at least one identified lane mark;
• and
• determine a navigational action for the host vehicle based on the determined at least one characteristic of the target vehicle.