AAA Engineering: Behind the Research

For the past decade, AAA automotive engineers have evaluated the design and integration of vehicle safety features through first-hand research. Their work has been instrumental in influencing safety regulations and industry standards for advanced driver stance systems (ADAS).?

The development of reliable and safe ADAS is a collaborative effort that involves industry and government leaders, such as the National Highway for Traffic Safety Administration. Their role in shaping rules and regulations for new vehicles has helped automakers discover and implement ways to deploy systems that perform closer to consumer expectations with the goal of making the roads safer for everyone.???

The 2022 Voluntary Agreement?

In 2016, 20 automakers representing 99% of vehicle sales committed to making automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems standard on all new vehicles by 2022.??

AEB utilizes sensors to detect imminent forward collisions with vehicles or other obstacles.??

When a potential collision could occur, and driver response is deemed insufficient, AEB will automatically apply braking pressure to slow the vehicle or bring it to a complete stop, mitigating the severity of the impact or potentially avoiding the collision altogether. AEB's design primarily addresses forward-motion, low-speed rear-end collisions.??

The Progression of Old vs New AEB Systems?

Since the commitment made in 2022, AAA engineers asked the question ... has the performance and functionality of AEB improved compared to the previous generation of technology??

What We Tested??

In partnership with the Automobile Club of Southern California's Automotive Research Center, AAA conducted research on closed-course roadways designed explicitly for standardized ADAS testing. The test included the same make and model of early (2017-2018) and late (2024) model vehicles equipped with AEB. Each vehicle was evaluated back-to-back on the same day to eliminate any testing bias and driven with a DRI Soft Car 360? positioned at the end of the course, with the rear facing the subject vehicle.??

The driver was instructed not to apply the brakes, relying on the activation of the AEB system to slow or stop the vehicle. A pedal load cell was mounted on the brake pedal to detect any instances where the driver applied the brakes. Every vehicle was weighed and instrumented with a precision GPS, pedal force sensor, cameras, and dataloggers.?

Each vehicle (both early and late models) was tested at speeds of 12 mph, 25 mph, and 35 mph. Once a set of test runs were complete, the engineers removed the equipment from one test vehicle and prepared to instrument the next one – repeating this process six times!??

What We Found??

When tested at speeds up to 35 mph, late model vehicles (2024) were nearly twice as likely to avoid a collision as early model vehicles (2017 – 2918), stopping 100% of the time. This aligns with current safety standards requiring AEB to work up to this same speed.?

Our Recommendations?

The results of AEB systems available in new vehicles show significant improvements -?? avoiding a potential collision at speeds up to 35 mph 100% of the time.??

While the technology continues to improve, drivers should keep in mind:??

• Never rely solely on technology to apply the brakes. AEB systems are not a replacement for an attentive driver.??

• Be aware of the limitations of an AEB system and stay engaged while driving. Maintain focus, even when driving vehicles equipped with advanced safety features.??

• Engaging in risky behaviors such as speeding, texting, driving while drowsy, or driving under the influence of cannabis or alcohol significantly increases the risk of a collision. Remember to stay alert! Follow speed limits, keep your smartphone out of reach, and only drive when sober.?

AAA's Recommendations for Industry: ?

• Continued Development of Advanced AEB Systems: Automakers should prioritize developing AEB systems for high-speed scenarios like those in the new FMVSS 127 . These systems have already displayed significant efficacy in preventing collisions up to 35 mph.??

• Enhance Forward Collision Warning (FCW) Alerts: If FCW systems offer earlier alerts, they can provide drivers with additional reaction time, decreasing the sole reliance on AEB systems. This approach can establish a more cooperative safety mechanism where both the driver and the vehicle collaborate to prevent collisions.??

• Research and Development for High-Speed Scenarios: Ongoing investment in research and development is crucial for improving the effectiveness of AEB systems at higher speeds. This involves advancing sensor technologies, optimizing braking algorithms to minimize false positives, and undertaking comprehensive real-world testing to meet updated regulatory requirements and guarantee safety at higher speeds.??

Previous AAA ADAS Testing:??

• AAA’s Tests Reveal Real-World Benefits of Automatic Stop-Start Technology ?

• Americans Steer Away from Autonomous Parking ?

• Majority of American Drivers on Naughty List ?

• Not All Self-Braking Cars Designed to Stop ?

• AAA Finds Driver Assist Vehicle Systems Struggle in Real-World Conditions ?

• AAA Recommends Common Naming for ADAS Technology ?

• AAA Warns Pedestrian Detection Systems Don’t Work When Needed Most ?

• Vehicle Technology:? False Sense of Security? ?

• AAA Finds Active Driving Assistance Systems Do Less to Assist Drivers and More to Interfere ?

• Braking Bad: Automatic Emergency Braking Absent When You Need It Most ?

• Consumer Skepticism Toward Autonomous Driving Features Justified ?

• Hit the Brakes ?