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A collision avoidance system adapted for use with a vehicle, and a method of modifying a first warning assessment algorithm of the system to reduce false alerts caused by overpasses, and maintain sufficient warning distances are presented, wherein the system includes at least one sensor operable to

A collision avoidance system adapted for use with a vehicle, and a method of modifying a first warning assessment algorithm of the system to reduce false alerts caused by overpasses, and maintain sufficient warning distances are presented, wherein the system includes at least one sensor operable to detect an object location, a locator device operable to determine the current position coordinates of the vehicle, a map database presenting a plurality of overpass locations ahead of the vehicle, and an electronic control unit operable to execute a second algorithm, if the detected object location generally matches an overpass location, and in a preferred embodiment, a third algorithm, if the detected location does not match an overpass location, such that the third algorithm is executable over a shorter period than the second, and the second algorithm is executable over a shorter period than the first.

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1. A collision avoidance system adapted for use with a host vehicle, and by an operator, said system comprising: at least one sensor configured to detect an object located a minimum threshold distance from the vehicle, so as to determine a detected object location;a map database including a pluralit

1. A collision avoidance system adapted for use with a host vehicle, and by an operator, said system comprising: at least one sensor configured to detect an object located a minimum threshold distance from the vehicle, so as to determine a detected object location;a map database including a plurality of intersecting thoroughfare links, wherein: each link is a grouping of three-dimensional map points representing a segment of roadway navigable by the vehicle;the intersecting links intersect at a location where two or more links traverse each other;the database denotes predetermined overpass locations;the overpass locations are where two or more links traverse each other at different grades; andthe overpass locations are absolute position coordinates;a locator device communicatively coupled to the map database, and configured to determine the current position coordinates of the vehicle within the map database; andan electronic control unit communicatively coupled to said at least one sensor, database, and device, and programmably configured to autonomously: execute a warning assessment algorithm,compare the determined object location with the overpass locations, so as to determine whether the determined object location is generally at an overpass location,modify the warning assessment algorithm, when the determined object location is at a general overpass location, andcause a warning perceivable by the operator to be generated, or a mitigating maneuver by the vehicle to be performed, when the execution of the algorithm detects a potential collision. 2. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said at least one sensor utilizes a technology selected from the group consisting of radar, lidar, infrared, vision, and laser technologies. 3. The system as claimed in claim 2 wherein: said sensor utilizes radar technology, and is configured to detect the object over a period, so as to determine a plurality of return signal strengths from the detection of the object; andsaid algorithm includes determining a trend in the difference between successive strengths, wherein the preceding strength is subtracted from the seceding strength. 4. The system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said unit is configured to cause the warning to generate when the trend is positive. 5. The system as claimed in claim 3 wherein the unit is configured to modify the algorithm by shortening the time period for the determining of the trend in the difference between successive strengths by reducing a quantity of samples of return signal strengths used in the determining of the trend when the detected object is at a general overpass location. 6. The system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said unit is configured to modify the algorithm, so as to cause the warning to be generated immediately upon detection of the object by the sensor, when the detected object is not at a general overpass location. 7. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said locator device includes a GPS receiver; andsaid unit, device, and database are further configured to retrieve a portion of the database within a predetermined vicinity of the current position coordinates, and compare the current position coordinates and the overpass locations within the portion. 8. A collision avoidance system adapted for use with a host vehicle, and by an operator, said system comprising: a first sensor utilizing a first technology, and configured to detect a first stationary object located a minimum threshold general distance from the vehicle, so as to determine a sensor-detected object location;a second sensor utilizing a second technology, and configured to detect the first object as the minimum threshold general distance from the vehicle;a map database including a plurality of intersecting links, wherein: each link is a grouping of three-dimensional map points representing a segment of roadway navigable by the vehicles;the intersecting links intersect at a location where two or more links traverse each other;the database denotes predetermined overpass locations; andthe overpass locations are where two or more links traverse each other at different grades; andthe overpass locations are absolute position coordinates;a locator device communicatively coupled to the map database, and configured to determine the current position coordinates of the vehicle within the map database; anda electronic control unit communicatively coupled to the sensors, database, and device, and programmably configured to autonomously: execute a warning assessment algorithm,compare the determined object location with the overpass locations, so as to determine whether the determined object location is generally at an overpass location,modify the warning assessment algorithm, when the determined object location is generally at an overpass location, andcause a warning perceivable by the operator to be generated, or a mitigating maneuver by the vehicle to be performed, when the execution of the algorithm detects a potential collision with the first object. 9. The system as claimed in claim 8 wherein: said first sensor utilizes radar technology; andsaid second sensor utilizes vision technology. 10. The system as claimed in claim 9 wherein said first sensor and unit are cooperatively configured to further detect a second object, wherein the second object is moving, determine track data for the first and second objects over a first period of concurrent detection, and determine whether the second object passes through the location of the first object during the first period. 11. The system as claimed in claim 9 wherein said second sensor and unit are cooperatively configured to further detect the signature pattern of the first object, and determine whether the pattern presents an overpass. 12. The system as claimed in claim 11 wherein said signature pattern includes a wide object across the field of view, a horizontal longitudinal orientation relative to the ground plane. 13. The system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the pattern further includes higher light intensity above the object, and lower light intensity below the object, when the object is detected in daylight. 14. The system as claimed in claim 9 wherein: said first sensor and unit are cooperatively configured to further detect the presence of a second object, wherein the second object is moving, determine track data for the objects over a first period of concurrent detection, and determine whether the second object passes through the location of the first object during the first period;said second sensor and unit are cooperatively configured to further detect the signature pattern of the first object, and determine whether the pattern presents an overpass; andsaid unit is further configured to combine first sensor detected first object locations having second objects passing therethrough, and second sensor detected object locations having overpass signature patterns into a single table of overpass locations. 15. The system as claimed in claim 14 wherein said unit is further configured to modify the algorithm, when the second object passes through the location of the first object, or the pattern presents an overpass, and the detected object location is generally at an overpass location. 16. The system as claimed in claim 15 wherein: said first sensor and unit are cooperatively configured to determine a plurality of return signal strengths from the detection of the first object; andsaid algorithm includes determining a trend in the difference between successive strengths. 17. The system as claimed in claim 16, wherein said unit is configured to modify the algorithm by reducing a quantity of samples of return signal strengths used in the determining of the trend, when the detected object is at a general overpass location. 18. The system as claimed in claim 16 wherein said unit is configured to modify the algorithm, so as to cause the warning to be generated immediately, when the detected object location is not at a general overpass location. 19. A method of modifying a first warning assessment algorithm of a sensor based collision avoidance system adapted for use with a vehicle, so as to reduce false alerts caused by overpasses, said method comprising the steps of: a) autonomously determining the current position coordinates, and heading of the vehicle;b) autonomously retrieving the absolute position coordinates of as least one overpass location within a predetermined vicinity ahead of the vehicle from a database;c) detecting an approaching object at least a minimum threshold distance from the vehicle, and determining the detected position coordinates of the object;d) comparing, using a programmable Electronic Control Unit (ECU), the detected position coordinates to the absolute position coordinates of said at least one overpass location from the database; ande) executing a second warning assessment algorithm, if the detected coordinates generally match the absolute position coordinates of a database overpass location, and a third warning assessment algorithm, if the detected coordinates do not match the position coordinates of a database overpass location, wherein said third warning assessment algorithm is executable over a shorter period than the second, and the second warning assessment algorithm is executable over a shorter period than the first.