The invention provides a vehicle with a laterally mounted optical scanning
device for zero-contact scanning of a lateral highway area and an
evaluation unit connected thereto. The optical scanning device comprises a
linear array of infrared transmitting devices located side by side and a
corresponding CCD array, and the connected evaluation unit is programmed
to perform time measurement, contrast measurement, and contour
recognition. With this optical scanning system, a function to warn against
falling asleep, an automatic lane maintenance function, a rear-area
monitoring or environment monitoring function for the vehicle can be
provided, with reaction to various types of lane boundaries being possible
depending on the situation.
