1. A method of detecting a clear path of travel for a vehicle utilizing a top-down view technique, the method comprising the steps of: capturing an input image of a scene exterior of the vehicle, the captured input image representing a perspective view of the road of travel; analyzing the captured input image; generating a segmented top-down image that includes potential clear path regions and potential non-clear path regions, the segmented top-down image representing a viewing angle perpendicular to a ground plane; inputting the segmented regions of the segmented top-down view to a classifier for identifying the clear path regions of travel; and utilizing the identified clear path regions for navigating the road of travel.