On-Road Evaluation of Intelligent Speed Adaptation, Following Distance Warning and Seatbelt Reminder Systems: Final Results of the TAC SafeCar Project

Abstract

The project had several aims: to evaluate the technical operation of a number of ITS technologies with high estimated safety potential; to assess the acceptability to drivers of these technologies; and to evaluate, in an on-road setting, the impact of these technologies, alone and in combination, on driver performance and safety. The project also involved a study that examined, in an advanced driving simulator, the effects on driving performance of two variants of Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA). This report documents the design, methodology and final outcomes of Phase 4 of the project, which involved the deployment and on-road evaluation of four ITS technologies equipped to 15 Ford passenger cars (referred to as SafeCars). The four technologies were: Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA); Following Distance Warning (FDW); Seatbelt Reminder (SBR) and Reverse Collision Warning (RCW). During the trial, the treatment drivers were exposed to all four ITS technologies, while the control drivers were exposed to the SBR and RCW systems only. Each SafeCar was equipped with a data logging system which automatically recorded a range of driving performance measures. This report presents the findings that derived from the logged driving data and from the subjective data on drivers perceived acceptability and usability of the SafeCar systems. (a)