Source: AAA
ORLANDO, Fla. – New research from AAA reveals that automatic emergency braking systems with pedestrian detection perform inconsistently, and proved to be completely ineffective at night. An alarming result, considering 75 percent of pedestrian fatalities occur after dark.
The systems were also challenged by real-world situations, like a vehicle turning right into the path of an adult. AAA’s testing found that in this simulated scenario, the systems did not react at all, colliding with the adult pedestrian target every time. For the safety of everyone on the road, AAA supports the continued development of pedestrian detection systems, specifically when it comes to improving functionality at night and in circumstances where drivers are most likely to encounter pedestrians.
On average, nearly 6,000 pedestrians lose their lives each year, accounting for 16 percent of all traffic deaths, a percentage that has steadily grown since 2010.
“Pedestrian fatalities are on the rise, proving how important the safety impact of these systems could be when further developed,” said Greg Brannon, AAA’s director of Automotive Engineering and Industry Relations. “But, our research found that current systems are far from perfect and still require an engaged driver behind the wheel.”
While time of day and location are contributing factors to pedestrian fatalities, vehicle speed also plays a major role. Previous research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that pedestrians are at greater risk for severe injury or death the faster a car is traveling at the time of impact. For example, a pedestrian hit by a vehicle traveling at 20 mph has an 18-percent risk of severe injury or death. Increase that by just 10 mph to 30 mph and the risk more than doubles to 47 percent. AAA’s latest study found that speed impacted system performance as well, with results varying between testing performed at 20 miles per hour and 30 mph.
In partnership with the Automobile Club of Southern California’s Automotive Research Center, AAA evaluated the performance of four midsize sedans equipped with automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection to determine the effectiveness of these systems. Testing was conducted on a closed course using simulated pedestrian targets for the following scenarios:
- An adult crossing in front of a vehicle traveling at 20 mph and 30 mph during the day and at 25 mph at night.
- A child darting out from between two parked cars in front of a vehicle traveling at 20 mph and 30 mph.
- A vehicle turning right onto an adjacent road with an adult crossing at the same time.
- Two adults standing along the side of the road with their backs to traffic, with a vehicle approaching at 20 mph and 30 mph.
The remainder of this AAA press release can be read by clicking on this sentence.
