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A groundbreaking study by the Partnership for Analytics Research in Traffic Safety (PARTS) reveals significant improvements in automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems, reducing front-to-rear crashes by up to 52% in newer vehicle models. This comprehensive analysis, the largest of its kind, utilized data from 98 million vehicles and 21.2 million crashes, pairing police reports with manufacturer equipment details to evaluate advancements in advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
Key Highlights
- Improved AEB Effectiveness: Effectiveness increased from 46% (2015–2017 models) to 52% (2021–2023 models), showcasing continuous advancements in AEB technology.
- Pedestrian Protection Gains: Pedestrian AEB systems reduced single-vehicle frontal crashes involving pedestrians, cyclists, and similar road users by 9%, marking the first statistically significant measure of such systems.
- Expanded Scope: The study included data from new members Ford and Hyundai, as well as long-standing contributors like General Motors, Honda, Mazda, and Toyota, spanning three additional vehicle segments, states, and model years compared to prior research.
- Future Outlook: Future studies aim to assess system activation during crashes and include data from new member Kia.
Importance of Findings
This study highlights AEB’s growing role in reducing the severity of traffic incidents, particularly rear-end and pedestrian-related crashes. According to Jennifer Morrison, PARTS communications chair and head of vehicle safety at Mazda North American Operations, “We can now see a trend in their life-saving capabilities and can focus our efforts on continuing that trend.”
The findings will guide further exploration of ADAS technologies, ensuring continued progress in vehicle safety systems. MITRE’s involvement, in collaboration with automakers and NHTSA, underscores the importance of public-private partnerships in advancing road safety.
As PARTS continues its work, the data collected will serve as a valuable resource for improving ADAS features and promoting safer transportation systems nationwide.
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