Toyota Prius: RCTA (Rear Cross Traffic Alert) function

The Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) function in the Toyota Prius enhances driver awareness during reversing maneuvers, particularly when backing out of parking spaces or driveways. This safety feature utilizes radar sensors positioned at the rear of the vehicle to continuously monitor the surrounding area. Upon shifting into reverse gear, the RCTA system automatically activates, scanning for approaching vehicles or pedestrians that may cross the Prius's path from either side.

When the RCTA detects an approaching vehicle or pedestrian within its monitoring range and crossing trajectory, it promptly alerts the driver. Typically, these alerts are conveyed through visual indicators on the side mirrors or rearview camera display, accompanied by audible alerts or beeps. This dual-alert system ensures that the driver receives timely notification of potential hazards, allowing for quick response actions to avoid collisions.

The primary benefits of the RCTA function include enhancing overall safety by providing critical information about potential blind-spot hazards while reversing. It significantly reduces the risk of accidents in scenarios where visibility is limited, such as crowded parking lots or areas with obstructed views. Moreover, the integration of RCTA with other safety systems, like the rearview camera and Intuitive Parking Assist, enhances overall driving confidence and convenience by providing comprehensive situational awareness during parking maneuvers.

In essence, the Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) function exemplifies Toyota's commitment to incorporating advanced safety technologies in the Prius. It contributes to smoother and safer driving experiences, empowering drivers with enhanced awareness and proactive collision avoidance capabilities while navigating challenging reversing situations.

• System components
• RCTA function

System components

The RCTA function uses the BSM rear side radar sensors installed behind the rear bumper. This function is intended to assist the driver in checking areas that are not easily visible when backing up.

WARNING

Cautions regarding the use of the system

The driver is solely responsible for safe driving. Always drive safely, taking care to observe your surroundings.

The RCTA function is only a supplementary function which alerts the driver that a vehicle is approaching from the right or left at the rear of the vehicle.

As the RCTA function may not function correctly under certain conditions, the driver's own visual confirmation of safety is necessary.

Over reliance on this function may lead to an accident resulting death or serious injury.

To ensure the system can operate properly

System components

1. Meter control switches

Operate the meter control switches to enable/disable the RCTA function on the multi-information display.

2. Outside rear view mirror indicators

If a vehicle is detected as approaching from the left or right behind the vehicle, both outside rear view mirror indicators will blink and a buzzer will sound.

3. Multimedia Display

If a vehicle approaching from the right or left at the rear of the vehicle is detected, the RCTA icon  for the detected side will be displayed on the Multimedia Display.

This illustration* shows an example of a vehicle approaching from both sides of the vehicle.

*: Depending on the vehicle grade and equipped options, the actual screen may be different from this illustration.

4. Driving assist information indicator

Illuminates when the RCTA is turned off. At this time, a message will be displayed on the multi-information display.

Turning the RCTA function on/off

The RCTA can be enabled/disabled on of the multi-information display.

When the RCTA function is off, the driving assist information indicator will illuminate and a message will be displayed on the multi-information display.

Each time the power switch is turned to ON, the RCTA function is enabled

Outside rear view mirror indicator visibility

In strong sunlight, the outside rear view mirror indicator may be difficult to see.

Hearing the RCTA buzzer

The RCTA buzzer may be difficult to hear over loud noises, such as if the audio system volume is high.

Rear side radar sensors

RCTA function

Operation of the RCTA function

The RCTA function uses rear side radar sensors to detect vehicles approaching from the right or left at the rear of the vehicle and alerts the driver of the presence of such vehicles by flashing the outside rear view mirror indicators and sounding a buzzer.

1. Approaching vehicles
2. Detection areas of approaching vehicles

RCTA icon display

When a vehicle approaching from the right or left at the rear of the vehicle is detected, the following will be displayed on the Multimedia Display.

• Example: Vehicles are approaching from both sides of the vehicle

RCTA function detection areas

The areas that vehicles can be detected in are outlined below.

The buzzer can alert the driver of faster vehicles approaching from farther away.

Example:

The RCTA function is operational when

The RCTA function operates when all of the following conditions are met:

• The power switch is in ON.
• The RCTA function is on.
• The shift position is in R.
• The vehicle speed is less than approximately 9 mph (15 km/h).
• The approaching vehicle speed is between approximately 5 mph (8 km/h) and 34 mph (56 km/h).

Setting the buzzer volume

The buzzer volume can be adjusted on the multi-information display.

The buzzer volume of the RCTA, intuitive parking assist, and RCD (if equipped) can be adjusted all together on of the multi-information display

Muting a buzzer temporarily

When an object is detected, the temporary mute switch is displayed on the Multimedia Display.

Select the switch to mute the buzzer of the intuitive parking assist, RCTA, and RCD (if equipped) all together.

Mute will be canceled automatically in the following situations:

• When the shift position is changed.
• When the vehicle speed exceeds a certain speed.
• When there is a malfunction in a sensor or the system is temporarily unavailable.
• When the operating function is disabled manually.
• When the power switch is turned off.

Conditions under which the system will not detect a vehicle

The RCTA function is not designed to detect the following types of vehicles and/or objects:

• Vehicles approaching from directly behind
• Vehicles backing up in a parking space next to your vehicle
• Vehicles that the sensors cannot detect due to obstructions

• Guardrails, walls, signs, parked vehicles and similar stationary objects*
• Small motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians, etc.*
• Vehicles moving away from your vehicle
• Vehicles approaching from the parking spaces next to your vehicle*
• The distance between the sensor and approaching vehicle gets too close

*: Depending on the conditions, detection of a vehicle and/or object may occur.

Situations in which the system may not operate properly

The RCTA function may not detect vehicles correctly in the following situations:

• When the sensor is misaligned due to a strong impact to the sensor or its surrounding area
• When mud, snow, ice, a sticker, etc., is covering the sensor or surrounding area on the position above the rear bumper
• When driving on a road surface that is wet with standing water during bad weather, such as heavy rain, snow, or fog
• When multiple vehicles are approaching with only a small gap between each vehicle
• When a vehicle is approaching at high speed
• When equipment that may obstruct a sensor is installed, such as a towing eyelet, bumper protector (an additional trim strip, etc.), bicycle carrier, or snow plow
• When backing up on a slope with a sharp change in grade

• When backing out of a sharp angle parking spot

• Immediately after the RCTA function is turned on
• Immediately after the hybrid system is started with the RCTA function on
• When the sensors cannot detect a vehicle due to obstructions
• When towing with the vehicle
• When there is a significant difference in height between your vehicle and the vehicle that enters the detection area
• When a sensor or the area around a sensor is extremely hot or cold
• If the suspension has been modified or tires of a size other than specified are installed
• If the front of the vehicle is raised or lowered due to the carried load
• When turning while backing up

 

• When a vehicle turns into the detection area

Situations in which the system may operate even if there is no possibility of a collision

Instances of the RCTA function unnecessary detecting a vehicle and/or object may increase in the following situations:

• When the parking space faces a street and vehicles are being driven on the street

• When the distance between your vehicle and metal objects, such as a guardrail, wall, sign, or parked vehicle, which may reflect electrical waves toward the rear of the vehicle, is short

• When equipment that may obstruct a sensor is installed, such as a towing eyelet, bumper protector (an additional trim strip, etc.), bicycle carrier, or snow plow
• When a vehicle passes by the side of your vehicle

• When a detected vehicle turns while approaching the vehicle

• When there are spinning objects near your vehicle such as the fan of an air conditioning unit
• When water is splashed or sprayed toward the rear bumper, such as from a sprinkler
• Moving objects (flags, exhaust fumes, large rain droplets or snowflakes, rain water on the road surface, etc.)
• When the distance between your vehicle and a guardrail, wall, etc., that enters the detection area is short
• Gratings and gutters
• When a sensor or the area around a sensor is extremely hot or cold
• If the suspension has been modified or tires of a size other than specified are installed
• If the front of the vehicle is raised or lowered due to the carried load
• When towing with the vehicle