Regarding the Ford BLIS option with CROSS TRAFFIC ALERT on an XL/STX, it is available while the REAR BACKUP ALERT is not offered. My question, I assume that there is a 'spray pattern' of the Cross Traffic sensors so that if, say, a jogger were to be running down the street while the truck with BLIS was slowly backing toward the street, the Cross Traffic Alert would sense the jogger and sound the alarm with the rear bumper of the truck still in the driveway? If so, the Rear Backup Alert in this case is pretty-much obsolete??
Am I correct? Thank you.

 

You are understanding correctly for the most part. You will not get the rear backup sensors.

I think it is important to note the BLIS isn't 100% reliable for this type of thing, particularly bikers/pedestrians. So be careful anyways.

I have a STX with BLIS and don't miss the backup sensors.

 

Thanks, dksmith17, understood on the caution...that thinking is the very reason that I was not interested in BLIS for the side lanes, I feel that I'll never know when it's clear or the system decided to fail, but the cross alert caught my eye as somewhat useful, I will just remember that there is the possibility of a false negative at any time.

 

Yep, both should just be a "reassurance" with visuals.

I bet its a matter of time before cross traffic alert is govt required. As most everyone has a camera now.... drivers are evolving to not turn their heads while backing up. If I was a biker I would not be pleased with the new law.

 

While I was picking it up at the dealership, it would go off when cars drove behind me while I was about to back out. It didn't go off for the person I could see standing there though. I always look. Cameras are to give the option for a double look is all. Not too lazy to turn my head around for safety. Some people have a hard time turning their head, I guess that's fine. Everyone else just being lazy.

 

was the person behind the tailgate or off to one of the two sides? ... sounds like the vehicles were faster than the system reporting their approach.

 

Rear Backup Alert is probably the gizmo that alerts everybody else that you're backing up. As in it emits a BEEP! BEEP! BEEP so they know to get the heck out of your way. Highly annoying if you ask me, but I don't drive a commercial vehicle.