Knowledge
ADAS Glossary
Manufacturers often use different names for similar driver assistance systems. Below is the harmonised list of the most common driver assistance systems, with their name, abbreviation and a short description. Search by name or abbreviation to quickly find the right system.
The names and abbreviations on this page are partly based on the ADAS Woordenboek 2025 (ADAS Dictionary 2025) by the ADAS Alliantie (ADAS Alliance).
38 driver assistance systems found
Speed and distance assistance systems
- Intelligent Speed Assistance (informing, warning and/or limiting)ISA
- Informing: shows the current speed limit to the driver. Warning: alerts the driver when the vehicle exceeds the speed limit. Limiting: limits the vehicle's speed to the applicable speed limit when it is exceeded.
- Adaptive Cruise ControlACC
- Automatically keeps distance to the vehicle ahead and reduces speed if the vehicle gets too close to it.
- Cruise ControlCC
- Allows the driver to set a fixed speed, so the accelerator pedal can be released.
- Curve Speed WarningCSW
- Warns the driver when the vehicle approaches a bend at a speed that is too high to take it safely.
- Highway Driving AssistHDA
- Supports the driver with steering, accelerating, braking and keeping the vehicle in its lane on motorways.
- Overtaking Assistance
- Assists with overtaking by temporarily increasing speed when the driver indicates an intention to overtake, then adjusts speed and distance again once the manoeuvre is complete.
- Speed Control FunctionSCF
- Prevents the vehicle from driving faster than the speed limit set by the driver.
- Speed Limit Information FunctionSLIF
- Displays speed-limit road signs on a screen in the vehicle and warns the driver when the limit is exceeded.
- Traffic Jam AssistTJA
- Supports the driver in queuing traffic with steering, accelerating, braking and keeping the vehicle in its lane.
Emergency braking systems
- Anti-lock Braking SystemABS
- Prevents the wheels from locking up under braking.
- Autonomous Emergency BrakingAEB
- Intervenes in a dangerous situation by bringing the vehicle to a stop with an emergency brake application. Automatically applies maximum braking force if the driver brakes.
- Electronic Stability ProgramESP
- Regulates the power delivered to each wheel to help maintain stability.
- Emergency Stop SignalESS
- Shows a signal that informs other road users behind the vehicle that an emergency braking manoeuvre is taking place.
- Post-Collision BrakingPCB
- Applies the brakes after an initial collision to bring the vehicle to a stop and help prevent further collisions.
- Rear Automatic (Emergency) BrakingRAB / RAEB
- Detects obstacles or vulnerable road users behind the vehicle while reversing and brakes automatically to help prevent a collision.
Lane-support systems
- Lane Keep AssistLKA
- Gives steering corrections and/or a warning when the vehicle unintentionally leaves its lane.
- Lane Departure WarningLDW
- Warns when the vehicle unintentionally leaves its lane without the indicator having been used. It warns only and does not steer.
- Emergency Lane KeepingELKS
- Actively steers to keep the vehicle in its lane in a critical situation.
- Lane CentringLC
- Helps keep the vehicle centred within its lane.
- Road Edge DetectionRED
- Helps prevent the vehicle running off the road by giving visual or audible warnings, or by actively steering.
- Autonomous Emergency SteeringAES
- Detects an imminent collision that braking cannot prevent and actively steers to help avoid the obstacle.
Monitoring systems: surroundings
- Forward Collision WarningFCW
- Warns of an imminent collision ahead.
- Rearview CameraRV
- Shows a camera view of the area behind the vehicle.
- Blind Spot WarningBSW
- Warns the driver with a light signal, usually in or near the door mirror, when another vehicle is overtaking or being overtaken.
- Cross Traffic AlertCTA
- Warns the driver of crossing traffic while the vehicle is moving.
- Pedestrian and Cyclist Collision WarningPCW
- Warns when a cyclist or pedestrian is in the same lane as the vehicle.
- Rear Collision WarningRCW
- Monitors the area behind the vehicle and warns of a possible collision.
- Rear Cross Traffic AlertRCTA
- Warns the driver of crossing traffic while reversing, for example when pulling out of a parking space.
- Surround Vision
- Shows a camera view of the area all around the vehicle.
- Vulnerable Road User DetectionVRU
- Detects vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists, and warns the driver to brake or intervenes automatically if a collision is imminent.
Monitoring systems: vehicle and occupants
- Drowsiness DetectionDD / DDR
- Detects signs of drowsiness in the driver and gives a warning signal or intervenes with a controlled stop.
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring SystemTPMS
- Monitors tyre pressure and warns the driver if pressure is outside the normal range.
- Distraction Recognition
- Detects driver distraction and gives a warning.
- Adaptive HeadlightsAH
- Adjusts headlight direction and intensity based on speed, steering angle, other road users and surroundings.
Parking assistance systems
- Assisted Parking
- Steers automatically while parking; the driver only operates the accelerator and must brake.
- Remote Control ParkingRCP
- Parks the vehicle independently in a parking space under the driver's supervision.
Information systems
- Traffic Sign RecognitionTSR
- Displays road signs on a screen in the vehicle.
- Navigation Systems
- Shows visual and/or audible instructions for the route to a destination.
Did a driver assistance system behave differently than you expected?
Report your experience to ADAS Meldpunt. In the report form we use the same names as in this glossary, so reports can be compared properly.
This overview has been carefully compiled by the ADAS Alliantie (ADAS Alliance). The content is based on collected available data, but this does not guarantee that the information is complete or error-free. No rights can be derived from the ADAS Woordenboek 2025 (ADAS Dictionary 2025).