Traffic Sign Recognition, Basic Function - GF54.30-P-9901A

Model All (4xWD) 

With Code 513 (Road sign recognition system) 

Model All (CAR) 

With Code 504 (Speed sign recognition) 

Model All (CAR) 

With Code 513 (Road sign recognition system) 

Model All (CAR) 

With Code 546 (Automatic speed control) 

Overview 

This document contains information on:

• General 
• Function requirements 
• Function 
  • Stop sign warning function 
  • Wrong-way warning function 
  • Red light warning function 
  • Spot light 

General 

Speed sign or traffic sign recognition evaluates the information on traffic signs and interprets its meaning. This enables identification of the maximum permissible speed and passing restrictions for the current route. It also enables identification of crosswalks or access restrictions. This information is displayed to the driver. Restricting supplementary signs, such as speed limits in wet conditions, are also taken into account.

The driving speed is compared with the permissible maximum speed. The detected maximum permissible speed can be adopted as the new specified speed.

For model series 192, 214, 236, 294, 296 as well as all models as of model year 23/2, a speed warning is issued as of a speed limit overshoot of 1 km/h.

If set appropriately by the driver, a warning indicates when the permissible maximum speed is exceeded. No-entry signs are also recognized and the driver is prompted to check his direction of travel, if necessary. The driver can also be warned about people in the vicinity of crosswalks.

In vehicles with Traffic Sign Assist, the traffic sign recognition system evaluates additional information from the digital road map of the navigation system.

In combination with DIGITAL LIGHT, a warning in the form of light symbols or guide lines when driving through a construction site can also be projected onto the road at night (when driving through a construction site, two light tracks are projected onto their own lane as a guide line).

As of the market launch of model 223, the system also supports the driver during right-of-way and intersection situations as well as in unclear and changing situations (variable maximum permissible speeds, e.g. on sign gantries or construction sites). "Additional warning contents" can be activated on a countryspecific basis. These include a warning for pedestrians located in the sensordetected danger zone at pedestrian crossings. The system can also warn the driver against driving against the permitted direction of travel before they drive into roads or roundabouts, and provide a two-stage warning before unintentionally driving past stop signs and yield signs.

Traffic sign recognition can reduce the risk of traffic collisions or accidents. Traffic sign recognition is operated via the multimedia system.

Depending on the vehicle, the warning when the detected speed indicator is exceeded consists of an interval warning with 3 tones as well as a flashing traffic sign.

Function requirements 

The following conditions must be met so that traffic sign recognition can be activated:

• Terminal 15 R on
• Vehicle moving forward

Function 

The multifunction camera behind the windshield detects traffic signs e.g. at the edge of the road, on sign gantries or at construction sites. The integrated picture recognition module evaluates the picture data from the multifunction camera. The navigation system (vehicles with Connect 20 multimedia system) provides information from the digital road map.

When determining the maximum permissible speed, the traffic sign recognition system also takes into account the following information:

• Actions of the windshield wiper system that indicate rain and a wet road.
• Outside temperature, from which the danger of slippery conditions can be derived.
• Trailer operation (vehicles with trailer hitch); different regulations apply for journeys with trailers.

In addition, the traffic sign recognition system evaluates the following function relevant parameters:

• Engine operating state
• Direction of travel
• Vehicle speed
• Vehicle longitudinal and lateral acceleration as well as yaw rate
• Distance and angle to other road users and objects
• Steering angle

Traffic sign recognition is continuously active in the background. In other words, the traffic signs are continuously recorded by the multifunction camera and evaluated by the integrated picture recognition module.

The pictures recorded by the multifunction camera are compared with stored data records by the picture recognition module. The detected traffic signs are matched to the respective valid road traffic regulations.

The multifunction camera evaluates both circular and square contours. Speed limits, prohibitory and derestriction signs are detected, including restrictions in countries with signage according to the Vienna Convention as well as in the USA and Canada.

Non-relevant signals (supplementary signs that, for example, are relevant for a turnoff lane) are ignored.

If route guidance is active (vehicles with Connect 20 multimedia system), supplementary signs will still be shown immediately if they are relevant for the active route guidance.

Information on current signs is also provided to other driver assistance systems, such as ECO Assist.

Stop sign warning function 

As of the market launch of model 223, the system also detects right-of-way signs (stop signs or yield signs) and warns the driver optically or optically and acoustically using a two-stage warning up to a speed of approx. 70 km/h.

Wrong-way warning function 

Inadvertent "wrong-way" driving can be prevented by the visual and acoustic wrong-way warning function of the traffic sign recognition system. This is because the system also detects no-entry signs at slip roads of expressways, freeways and traffic circles, and compares them with the information from the navigation system.

Red light warning function 

A country-specific configurable option enables the driver to still be visually or audio-visually warned if a red traffic light is unintentionally run through.

Spot light 

In order to notify the driver of the potential danger, people on or near the roadway are automatically flashed when they are detected by the night vision camera.

In order to detect pedestrians, the spot light function uses infrared technology: Two separate light sources in the headlamp illuminate the roadway with invisible and therefore glare-free infrared light. A camera specialized in this light behind the windshield takes action in front of the vehicle. The recorded picture is transmitted to a display in the instrument cluster.

The multifunction camera detects whether the vehicle is traveling when it is dark. It also records the position of a preceding or oncoming road user. The electronic control unit uses all this information to determine whether a detected pedestrian is to be flashed as a warning.

The headlamp cuts out a groove for variable light distribution, with the aid of which a controllable point light, the spot light, is implemented. Pedestrians are flashed in the dark outside of built-up areas up to four times as long as they are within the light cone. If the Adaptive High beam Assist has switched to low beams, the pedestrian is flashed beyond the low beam illumination area with the spot light function. On the other hand, if high beams are activated, the left headlamp remains switched on in high beam mode while the right headlamp flashes. In order to prevent the pedestrian from being dazzled during this period, the flashing headlamp is then dimmed for five seconds.

There is no risk of other road users being dazzled as the illumination does not occur when other vehicles are driving ahead or oncoming in the pedestrian area.

If the pedestrian disappears from the camera image because, for example, the vehicle has already passed them or they have left the side of the road, the headlamp will shine brighter again before the end of the five seconds, provided that the conditions of Adaptive High beam Assist are fulfilled. As a result, the full high beams are restored as quickly as possible, ensuring that the road is illuminated as best as possible for the driver.

The spot light function is only active as of 45 km/h; it is deactivated below 40 km/h.

Warnings about pedestrians on pedestrian crossings and warnings about unintentionally driving past stop signs can be activated or deactivated by the driver (permanently) in the Driving Assistance menu of Traffic Sign Assist. The type of warning and the warning threshold can also be adjusted. However, country-specific warnings about driving against the prescribed direction of travel are permanently active.

	Function schematics
	Recognize traffic signs, function schematic	Model 465	PE54.30-P-2502-97G
		Model 118, 177, 243, 247 except code 23P (Driving package) except code 51B (EURO NCAP country set rating); model 167 except code 23P (Driving package) except code 51B (EURO NCAP country set rating) except code P20 (Driving assistance package plus); model 293 except code 23P (Driving package) except code 51B (EURO NCAP country set rating)	PE54.30-P-2502-97A
		Model 118, 167, 177, 243, 247, 293 with code 23P (Driving package) with code 51B (EURO NCAP country set rating); model 118, 167, 177, 243, 247 with code 51B (EURO NCAP country set rating); model 167 with code P20 (Driving assistance package plus)	PE54.30-P-2502-97B
		Model 213, 238, 257, 290 as of model year 2021	PE54.30-P-2502-97E
		Model 223, 297	PE54.30-P-2502-97C
		Model 192, 206, 214, 232, 236, 254, 294, 295, 296	PE54.30-P-2502-97F
	Additional basic functions
	Front multifunction camera, basic function		GF54.71-P-9890A
	Headlamp projection, basic function	Model all (CAR) with code 42U (Projection function via headlamps - symbols) with code 43U (Projection function via headlamps - animation) with code 513 (Road sign recognition system)	GF82.10-P-1031A
	Detailed information
	Functional limitations of traffic sign recognition, detailed information	All models (cars)	GF54.30-P-0021-01A
	Traffic sign recognition, detailed information	All models (GW, cars)	GF54.30-P-0022-01A