FSD Lane Selection Woes

[Jhodgesatmb]

Perhaps I'm mistaken but as I understand the rules on a three-lane highway you should be driving in the Middle Lane most of the time. The right lane is for people merging in and out and the left lane is for passing. Once the pass is complete you come back to the middle. When it's time for you to get off the highway and make a right hand turn first you move into the right lane and then make your exit. Isn't that correct?

That is how I drive, but sadly that is not how FSD drives (nor many drivers). Two-lane highways, on the other hand, and especially on long, straight segments, can be more challenging. For example, there are long stretches of Highway 5 in California where there are only 2 lanes and long lines of semis can get stacked up. It is sometimes necessary to drive in the left lane for some distance when you see semis a mile or more ahead and there is a line of cars that also see those semis and stay in the passing lane.

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[Jhodgesatmb]

Here is my current list of navigation issues for FSD. Most of them are lane selection related:

- FSD should not move into a lane that will disappear within 1,000 feet.
- FSD should not change lanes to the right (on city streets) unless it has to for accidents or congestion.
- FSD should detect when an upcoming exit lane is getting congested and move over early.
- FSD should make lane changes to accommodate the fewest lane changes for upcoming operations (e.g., exits, merges).
- FSD should not pass (especially trucks) within N miles of an exit.
- FSD should never get ‘stuck’ behind semis on a highway.
- FSD should always move out of the way, if necessary/safe, for cars entering a highway. If it cannot provide space that way it should slow down or speed up to create the space.
- FSD should always use the appropriate turn signal when changing lanes.
- FSD should never put on a blinker unless it is going to change lanes immediately.
- FSD should only pass on the right in states that allow it, or if it detects a derelict driver that won’t change lanes.
- FSD should only override a driver’s lane change request when it would be dangerous to do so.
- FSD often follows too close behind other cars.
- FSD needs to read, understand, and accommodate warning signs (yellow/black, orange/black).

I do not think that any of these are edge cases. This is just normal driving. It is difficult for me to put my faith/trust in FSD until it gets these kinds of things (and of course the things that you-all have noted that I have not) pretty much perfect.

As for the so-called speed profiles, I have no issue with them being called 'assertiveness' profiles but they should not focus on speed, but rather on their willingness to change lanes. My personal belief is that FSD should exemplify good driving regardless of the profile and that seems to be missing. Otherwise I would probably never have to change profiles and I do now.

 

[Vladimer]

2. Speed via thumbwheel is missed. (+5 , -5). In any mode.

A thousand times, this. By far the most aggravating FSD thing for me is having it settle at 59mph on standard in a 55 zone, then at 77pmh in hurry, when all I want is to hover around 65pmh. And, though I haven't seen it as often, the occasional 72mph in a 55 zone on standard is right out.

Pulled the 2018 MS out of the garage and drove on Autopilot for a bit and it was refreshing to just set a speed and have the car maintain it.

Like Bill, I am sitting on exactly 50% FSD but hoping to improve on that.

 

[drrussellhogue]

I am using FSD north of 99%. It’s typically between 99.1-99.3% FSD.

1. It feels much safer driving than 99% of humans I am in the passenger seat with…as passenger.
2. It gets me to my final destination with virtually no stress. Does it always choose the route I would have chosen, no. But neither will other huma drivers.
3. It can and will make mistakes, however, it doesn’t panic when mistakes happen, it just re-routes (unlike many humans cutting over)…sometimes, I will intervene and make the lane choice correction. Sometimes, I will just let it go. I am never in a hurry so if it has to turn around, ok.
4. I set the drive mode for how aggressive, lane choices, etc.

My typical driving is about 99% parking lot. In the past 5300 miles I have driven about 40 miles total.

 

[Bobo_LaDouche]

FSD will get me there. Just not in an enjoyable or friendly way. Because of the "profile" algorithm, the lane choice, speed choice and driving behavior are linked, the therefore the car will always be wrong on 2 out of 3 things that I want. And I will always be annoyed because I do not have a choice. Not a good way to treat your customers.

I drive in Nevada, which has less traffic, and I do not need to be constantly sniffing tail exhaust because this car has to tailgate. Due to the design of FSD, it will always do this.

Programmers, please think about the humans.

 

[SlegMD]

My FSD cut someone off today, I was actually kinda disappointed. It jerked over pretty hard too, as in under 2seconds to complete merge. Truck behind me had to slam on their brakes. Has not done this before. No obstacles in front of me.

There was a strong crosswind at the time, dunno if this impacted FSD or not

 

[Jhodgesatmb]

Fsd might beat human safety record because humans drink and drive and have a lot of other follies, but it will never mach human decision making.

In a YT video, a model y is traveling on a 4 lane rolling hills highway in light traffic, approaching a city. Upon cresting a hill, the driver can clearly see traffic backed up to a crawl about 2 miles ahead. Navigation also shows an exit point for the car 3.5 miles ahead.

Other traffic traveling with the model Y see this and start to slow down and position for their next moves. The Y barrels down the highway oblivious to the traffic ahead. Slows down way past the point any rational human would slow down at. Now it has 3 lanes to cross in stop and go traffic to get to get to upcoming exit lane.

Its a tool I don't think can ever be perfected

As many issues as I have with FSD lane selection I do believe that they will get it eventually. Elon has been talking about increased inferencing in future releases, and that is what you are talking about. We look ahead and see what is going on and we infer what to do and then act. I believe that the vehicle FSD has access to the same information but it just isn't connecting the dots like we do.

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