Collision avoidance system and method of detecting overpass locations using data fusion

A collision avoidance system adapted for use with a host vehicle, and by an operator, said system comprising:

• a first sensor utilizing a first technology, and configured to detect a first stationary object located a minimum threshold general distance from the vehicle, so as to determine a sensor-detected object location;
• a second sensor utilizing a second technology, and configured to detect the first object at the minimum threshold general distance from the vehicle;
• a map database including a plurality of intersecting links, and denoting overpass locations;
• a locator device communicatively coupled to the map database, and configured to detect the current position coordinates of the vehicle within the map database;
• and
• an electronic control unit communicatively coupled to the sensor, database, and device, and programmably configured to autonomously:
• execute a warning assessment algorithm,
• compare the detected object location with the overpass locations, so as to determine whether the detected object location is generally at an overpass location,
• modify the warning assessment algorithm, when the detected object location is generally at an overpass location, and
• cause a warning perceivable by the operator to be generated, or a mitigating maneuver by the vehicle to be performed, when the execution of the algorithm detects a potential collision with the first object.

A method of modifying a first warning assessment algorithm of a sensor based collision avoidance system adapted for use with a vehicle, so as to reduce false alerts caused by overpasses, said method comprising the steps of:

• a. autonomously determining the current position coordinates, and heading of the vehicle;
• b. autonomously retrieving the position coordinates of at least one overpass location within a predetermined vicinity ahead of the vehicle from a database;
• c. detecting an approaching object at least a minimum threshold distance from the vehicle, and determining the detected position coordinates of the object;
• d. comparing the detected position coordinates to the position coordinates of said at least one overpass location from the database;
• and
• e. executing a second warning assessment algorithm, if the detected coordinates generally match the position coordinates of a database overpass location, and a third warning assessment algorithm, if the detected coordinates do not match the position coordinates of a database overpass location, wherein said third warning assessment algorithm is executable over a shorter period than the second, and the second warning assessment algorithm is executable over a shorter period than the first.