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Dutch researchers find the safety potential of the of Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) systems combined is a 20.7 percent reduction of all accidents on through-roads, which amounts to a 10.5 percent reduction of all accidents on through-roads and intersections combined.

Dutch researchers evaluated Advanced Driver Assistance (ADA) technologies to improve driver behavior and the safety of vehicles on through-roads and at intersections.

Date Posted
11/19/2013
Identifier
2013-B00883
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The Assisted Driver

Summary Information

On October 14th 2004, the Dutch Ministry of Transport unveiled ‘The Assisted Driver’ project to the outside world for the first time by means of virtual reality. The presentation comprised of a short film about Advanced Driver Assistance (ADA) systems and a simulator that allowed the three systems (Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Lane Keep Assist (LKA)) to be tested. The main aims of the virtual reality presentation were to place ADA systems on the agenda and simplify communication about this topic. The main goals of this project were to provide a peek into the future of ADA systems and evaluate the impact on traffic flow in terms of safety, throughput and environment as well as driver behavior and acceptance.

Subsequent to the rollout of this project several Assisted Driver clinics were conducted for participants to experience the technologies in full field operational tests. It was the first time that a combination of these systems could be tested. Overall, the participants responded positively to the tested systems.

All of them indicated that the systems help increase safety and comfort levels. The results of the study were published in a December 2006 report.

METHODOLOGY

Evaluation objectives included:
  • Performing an objective analysis of the effect of driving with ACC and LDW (in mixed traffic on Dutch roads) on individual driving behavior and ultimately the impact on traffic flow in terms of safety, throughput and environment.
  • Evaluating driver behavior and acceptance by means of questionnaires and focus groups.
FINDINGS

This study evaluated multiple aspects of driving behaviors and the following shows a sampling of the improved driver behaviors that resulted:

LDW
  • Approximately 50 percent of participants improved their use of signal indicators.
ACC
  • Approximately 50 percent of participants moved to the left sooner when preparing to overtake another vehicle to prevent the ACC system from "kicking in".
  • Approximately 25 percent of participants stay longer in the left or middle lane after overtaking a vehicle.
The Dutch researchers concluded from the evaluation:
  • That ACC can prevent a maximum of 48.8 percent of accidents on through-roads (intersections excluded).
  • For LDW, the reduction of accidents was found to be 4.6 percent.
  • Together, ACC and LDW can reduce the number of accidents on through-roads by a maximum of 53.4 percent. This is 6.7 percent of the total number of accidents on through-roads and 3.4 percent of the total number of accidents (through-roads and intersections combined).
  • Furthermore, they concluded that the safety potential of the systems combined is 20.7 percent of all accidents on through-roads, which amounts to 10.5 percent of all accidents on through-roads and intersections combined.
This report, finalized in December 2006, also provides additional details on these vehicle safety systems. These findings along with the benefits information provide a valuable resource to those considering the implementation of advanced technology for vehicle safety.
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