Such a camera-based LDW system is the first mass produced LDW system to be offered to the North American automotive market. It is available as an option on the 2005 model year Infiniti FX SUV and will be offered later on the M45 luxury sedan. It's part of an option package, which includes a DVD entertainment system, for $1,700.

The Infiniti LDW system features:

The Infiniti system has a camera mounted behind the windshield of the vehicle; it scans the road ahead approximately 100 "130 ft. If the system detects an unintended lane change (no turn signal used) the driver is warned of the divergence through visual, audible, or haptic (steering wheel or seat vibration) indicators. When the driver does intend to change lanes, the use of the turn signal indicator turns the LDW system off, preventing a false alarm. The system may also be turned off in situations where proper lane markings do not exist. It is programmed to be activated above a predetermined speed to avoid nuisance false alarms during low speed city driving.

An infrared-based LDW system typically uses a series of infrared light sensors mounted under the front bumper of a vehicle to identify the lane markings on the roadway. Although at this time an infrared-based system costs less than a camera system, recent advances in digital camera technology and production methods have closed the price gap considerably.

The infrared LDW system currently offered on Citroën's new C4 model for the European market warns the driver of an unintended lane departure by vibrating the side of the driver's seat that corresponds with the unintended route of the vehicle. As well as being initially announced for the new C4 range, a competitor to models such as the Ford Focus, GM Astra, and VW Golf, Citroën has also announced plans to fit it to the larger C5 model as well. The option price for the UK market will be $540.

LDWs for Commercial Vehicles
LDW systems have been successfully introduced into the heavy commercial vehicle market in Europe and North America. According to LDW system supplier Iteris, more than 8,000 of their LDW systems are currently in use in Europe and the U.S.

LDW systems have received positive feedback from commercial vehicle operators. A driver satisfaction study of Iteris' LDW system was conducted in 2004 including responses from 140 drivers in the U.S. and 100 in Europe that have used the LDW system. A brief summary of the U.S. data from the study is as follows:

LDW Market Projections for Cars and Light Trucks

Although heavy truck LDW commercial users have responded positively to the system, LDW systems face unknown public consumer response. It remains to be seen if an LDW system is perceived to add or detract from their driving experience. The LDW system may operate exactly as designed but be negatively perceived by the consumer if it is found to be an added annoyance or distraction.

Strategy Analytics, a market research company, predicts the initial target market segments for LDW systems in cars and light trucks will focus on luxury vehicles, minivans, SUVs, and pickups. Automakers attempting to differentiate their luxury vehicles from competitor's offerings or wanting to offer the latest safety systems are seen as the market segment most apt to offer LDW technology. Offering an LDW system bundled in an option package exposes the technology to more drivers than a stand-alone option that is most likely unfamiliar to the consumer.

Mark Fitzgerald is a senior industry analyst, at Strategy Analytics, a Massachusetts and UK market research company.