Traffic congestion is a never-ending problem, especially in big cities. Every day, millions of people have to spend hours on the road. Just to cover a distance that they should be able to cover in minutes. In addition to wasting time, congestion also triggers stress, even increasing the risk of accidents due to driver fatigue. Fortunately, advances in automotive technology offer an increasingly smart solution to this problem, namely the Traffic Jam Assist feature.
The feature is designed to help drivers in stop-and-go traffic conditions. This often happens during rush hour such as morning or evening. By combining semi-autonomous technology, sensors, and sophisticated control systems, they offer extra comfort and safety in driving.
Getting to Know About the Traffic Jam Assist Feature
As previously stated, Traffic Jam Assist is a driving assistance feature that functions automatically in heavy traffic conditions. Especially when the vehicle is traveling at low speed.
This system allows the car to control acceleration, braking, and steering automatically with sophisticated supervision. In other words, the feature allows the car to “drive itself” in traffic jams. Although within a certain speed limit and as long as the driver remains alert.
Basically, TJA is part of driver assistance system technology. They developed from adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist. The way it works involves a number of sensors such as radar, cameras, and sometimes lidar, which detect conditions around the vehicle in real time.
Data from these sensors is processed by the car’s computer to set a safe distance from the vehicle in front. So that it effectively maintains position in the lane and adjusts speed automatically. In general, the Traffic Jam Assist feature will be active at speeds below 40 km/h. However, it can vary depending on the manufacturer.
Benefits of Traffic Jam Assist
The use of Traffic Jam Assist brings a number of significant benefits. Especially for drivers who often face heavy traffic:
1. Reduces Stress and Fatigue
The biggest benefit of TJA is convenience. When the system is active, the driver only needs to monitor the system and is ready to take over if necessary. No need to step on the gas or brake continuously. This is very helpful in reducing fatigue during long traffic jams.
2. Increases Safety
With sensors that continue to monitor traffic conditions, the system can reduce the risk of accidents due to delayed human reactions. This system can also help prevent rear-end collisions in traffic jams.
3. Driving Efficiency
The Traffic Jam Assist feature can also regulate acceleration and braking more smoothly than humans. This can have a positive impact on fuel efficiency. At the same time, it effectively extends the life of the vehicle components themselves, such as brakes.
Already Applied in Various Modern Car Products
Currently, Traffic Jam Assist is no longer a luxury item that is only found in premium cars. Many automotive manufacturers have integrated its features into their latest vehicle models. The name and mechanism of the system may vary slightly depending on the brand, but the core function remains the same.
Several manufacturers such as BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Honda, and Hyundai have included this feature in certain cars. Toyota is also one of the car manufacturers that has adopted Traffic Jam Assist technology in several of its latest models.
Based on explanations from various official sources, including the Toyota USA YouTube channel, this feature is now present as part of Toyota Safety Sense (TSS). Toyota’s active safety technology package.
Where this system works by utilizing radar sensors and cameras to control vehicles in traffic jams. Drivers must still keep their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road. But the system will automatically adjust the speed such as 0-25 mph and the distance to the vehicle in front.
Toyota and other manufacturers develop this feature as a form of their commitment to safety, efficiency and comfort. Through integration with other systems such as lane tracing assist and full-speed range dynamic radar cruise control, Traffic Jam Assist is able to offer a more peaceful driving experience.
Overall, the Traffic Jam Assist feature is a clear example of how technology can change the driving experience. Although this system has not completely replaced the role of the driver, its presence shows the direction towards more autonomous intelligent mobility.
