System and method for tracking terrain objects

A method in a controller-implemented clearance risk detection system in a host vehicle, the method comprising:

• identifying a terrain object based on camera image data in a travel path of the host vehicle;
• classifying the terrain object based on whether:
• a host vehicle ride height allows the host vehicle to clear the terrain object without a vehicle ride height adjustment, a raising of host vehicle ride height allows the host vehicle to clear the terrain object, and a vehicle ride height adjustment is not available that will allow the host vehicle to clear the terrain object;
• providing a first indicator based on terrain object classification via a human machine interface (HMI) in the host vehicle that indicates that a suggested raising of vehicle ride height using an air suspension system in the host vehicle allows the host vehicle to clear the terrain object;
• and
• providing a second indicator based on terrain object classification via the HMI that indicates that raising vehicle ride height will not allow the host vehicle to clear the terrain object.

A clearance risk detection system in a host vehicle comprising a controller, the controller configured to:

• identify a terrain object in a travel path of the host vehicle;
• classify the terrain object based on whether:
• a host vehicle ride height allows the host vehicle to clear the terrain object without a vehicle ride height adjustment, a raising of host vehicle ride height allows the host vehicle to clear the terrain object, and a vehicle ride height adjustment is not available that will allow the host vehicle to clear the terrain object;
• provide a first indicator based on terrain object classification via a human machine interface (HMI) that indicates that a suggested raising of vehicle ride height using an air suspension system in the host vehicle allows the host vehicle to clear the terrain object;
• provide a second indicator based on terrain object classification via the HMI that indicates that raising vehicle ride height will not allow the host vehicle to clear the terrain object;
• and
• automatically raise the vehicle ride height via an air suspension system to clear the terrain object when raising vehicle ride height will allow the host vehicle to clear the terrain object.