What Is Subaru Rear Cross-Traffic Alert? All You Need To Know

This article will examine all about What Is Subaru Rear Cross-Traffic Alert? It frequently takes place. After checking your mirrors and looking behind you, you put the car in reverse. As you gently reverse, your automobile pulls away from the parking space.

Unexpectedly, a car speeds up the aisle and nearly collides with you. It is hardly surprising that parking lots account for 20% of vehicle collisions. So, how can we lessen the frequency of collisions brought on by invisible cross traffic?

Utilizing driving aid technologies is one way. A vehicle safety feature called rear cross-traffic alert is available on many modern cars. This technology can lessen back accidents in parking lots by watching the cross traffic for you.

What Is Subaru Rear Cross-Traffic Alert?

Rear cross-traffic warning (RCTW), usually called rear cross-traffic alert, is a warning system that automatically activates when a vehicle backs out of a parking space.

It is often part of a vehicle’s advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) package of technological and safety elements. When a car reverses, rear cross-traffic warning detects incoming vehicles (and, in certain situations, pedestrians and cyclists) and alerts the driver visually and audibly.

Why Is Rear Cross-Traffic Warning Important?

Everyone dreads getting into an accident when reversing out of a parking space. Unfortunately, accidents of this nature frequently occur. Technology for rear cross-traffic warning lowers back-end collisions by 25 to 30%. Many modern cars come with the technology either as standard or optional equipment. For earlier vehicles, aftermarket systems are also available.

Checking if a car has a blind-spot warning on the side mirrors is one technique to determine if it has RCTW. The two systems are frequently installed and integrated by automakers to function together. To identify vehicles approaching their monitored regions, they use identical sensors inside the left and right sides of the back bumper.

How To Operate Rear Cross-Traffic Warning?

The RCTW system turns on automatically when the driver reverses the car. A backup or rearview camera is typically included with the RCTW system to help drivers notice vehicles coming from either side of the vehicle’s rear.

When you shift into reverse, both systems will activate. The driver will be alerted visually or audibly if an oncoming vehicle reaches the RCTW-monitored area. The dashboard, rearview mirror, and side-view mirrors may all display the alert. Visual notifications will typically show the direction a vehicle is approaching because RCTW is directional.

How Does Rear Cross Traffic Alert Work?

Back Cross Traffic Alert emits radar waves using corner radar sensors placed on the left and right sides of a car’s back bumper. Drivers are alerted when vehicles are approaching (often between 3 and 20 miles per hour) via a beeping sound, visual indications such as an indicator light, or seat rumbling.

This alert sounds when a car enters the radar detection zone of your automobile, which stretches from each radar sensor in the back corners of the car and down the aisle in both directions to detect cross traffic.

Some OEM versions of this safety feature use ultrasonic sensors, often known as rear parking sensors, even though radar is the technology most frequently utilized in RCTA systems. Typically, your automobile will use the same ADAS sensors for RCTA operation and blind spot monitoring.

Alternative Terms For RCTA

Several different names refer to the RCTA system of a vehicle. Here are a few instances of various names OEMs have given RCTA:

• Rear cross-traffic accident warning/avoidance
• rear cross-path recognition
• Assistant for rear cross-traffic

RCTA Vs Parking Sensors

RCTA is a distinct technology from the parking sensors found in many automobiles that integrate with backup camera systems to aid drivers in making secure parking spots.

It is also less typical. Parking sensors use sonar technology, although they can only be used to detect obstacles that are right up against the back bumper of the automobile. Parking sensors often only detect stationary objects, whereas RCTA systems search for moving cars that are coming your way.

The direction and extent of what an RCTA/BSM does differ. Radar sensors in corners can detect. The detection field of these radar sensors is substantially wider and extends to the sides of your car. The sensors on the car’s corners can detect cross traffic even when it is too far away to use the brakes and avoid a collision.

RCTA Works Together With Backup Cameras And Rear AEB

RCTA is a collision-avoidance system combined with reverse automated emergency braking (reverse AEB), which is more than just a crash deterrent. With the addition of a backup camera, this cutting-edge safety technology can simplify things for drivers. When combined, the ensemble functions as follows: when you shift into reverse, your backup camera displays the field of view, radar sensors scan the road for oncoming traffic, and rear AEB brakes to prevent an accident if oncoming traffic isn’t slowing down.

What Is Rear Cross-Traffic Warning With Automatic Braking?

On some high-end versions, automated braking is added with the RCTW feature. Even though enhanced RCTW with auto braking and basic RCTW seem the same, the latter can stop the car when the system senses an approaching vehicle from behind.

This extra capability reduces the possibility of an accident occurring while backing up. Additionally, while backing up, it stops the car when it comes close to other parked automobiles or immovable objects like walls, trees, or curbs.

Rear Cross-Traffic Warning Limitations

Most RCTW systems perform best when parked straight. Due to a skewed sensor monitoring area, they might perform at a lower capacity in sloped parking arrangements. Additionally, RCTW systems demand that the vehicle reverse at no more than 5 mph.

Depending on the brand and type of the car, this speed restriction could be different. Remember that RCTW is not flawless and cannot take the role of a careful driver. There may occasionally be restrictions on the scope and clarity of RCTW and how well it functions. As a result, drivers must always be conscious of their surroundings.

Conclusion

To conclude, What Is Subaru Rear Cross-Traffic Alert? When reversing, the rear cross-traffic alert gives drivers an extra set of eyes. When traveling in reverse, it’s crucial not to rely solely on the RCTW mechanism. To fully see what might be approaching from behind the vehicle, drivers should always look behind and check their mirrors.

Frequently Asked Questions