In one embodiment, the present invention includes a vehicle guidance
system. In one embodiment, the vehicle guidance system includes a
navigation system capable of providing vehicle location information
including the vehicle position. In the present embodiment, the vehicle
guidance system further includes data storage means capable of storing at
least one pre-determined course having a preferred direction of travel.
The present embodiment also includes processing means capable of receiving
the vehicle location information, calculating the magnitude of any
displacement of the vehicle in a direction perpendicular to the closest
point of the predetermined course and thereupon generating an intermediate
waypoint at a predetermined response distance from the vehicle. In this
embodiment, the intermediate waypoint is generated along a composite line
formed by the shortest route from the vehicle to a point of intersection
with the predetermined course and extending thereupon along the
predetermined route in the preferred direction for a distance along said
composite line equal to the predetermined response distance. The present
embodiment also calculates the heading from the vehicle to the
intermediate waypoint and outputs the same as a corrective course heading.