Commercial Vehicle Safety: Advanced Driver System Technology is the Road Ahead

12 December 2023

Rapid technology-driven innovation has the potential to make driving easier and our roads safer and more efficient. One such technology is Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems or ADAS, designed to aid various aspects of driving and enhance on-road safety.

Here we look at common ADAS functionalities and how the systems work from advanced cruise control to lane warning systems, emergency braking features and rear traffic alerts. These systems undeniably enable improved risk management and safer roads proving of extreme value to Australia's freight transport, heavy vehicle trucking industry and commercial fleet vehicle operators and employee drivers

What are Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) and how do they work?

Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) incorporate a suite of safety technologies integrated into vehicles, which augment the driver's skills and awareness. ADAS monitor the vehicle's surroundings in real time with the help of sensors, radar, cameras and other components.

These systems continuously collect data about the vehicle's environment, including proximity to other vehicles, road markings, traffic signs and pedestrians. On-board computers process this data and if a potential threat is detected ADAS can alert drivers by applying automatic emergency braking systems or dashboard alerts such as Lane Departure Warnings (LDW).

It's important to note that ADAS are viewed as a driving assistant and safeguard, not a fully autonomous driving system. A driver must always remain vigilant and engaged.

Common features of Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems

There are several features of ADAS that are becoming more common to vehicles manufactured in the past decade, each with associated pros and cons.

1. Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)

Adaptive cruise control uses sensors like radar or Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) to build on traditional cruise control. The sensors monitor the distance between your vehicle and the one ahead and can automatically adjust the vehicle's speed to maintain a safe driving distance, even in varying traffic conditions, something conventional cruise control cannot do.

Drivers can set a maximum speed and following distance in the system. Once the vehicle in front slows down, the system automatically reduces your vehicle's speed to maintain the set distance.

Advantages of Adaptive Cruise Control

Enhanced driving comfort: ACC reduces the need for constant braking and accelerating, resulting in improved driving comfort, especially during long journeys.
Reduced driver fatigue: With ACC managing speed automatically in traffic, drivers can focus more on the road, be more aware and reduce mental fatigue, especially during longer trips.
Reduced accidents: Automatic braking, speeding up and maintaining the pre-set following distance help reduce rear-end collisions, crash severity and tailgating.
Better fuel efficiency: Maintaining a consistent speed and the following distance optimises fuel consumption.

Disadvantages of Adaptive Cruise Control

Sudden changes in traffic patterns: ACC may not respond optimally to abrupt changes in traffic flow, requiring the driver to take control.
Inattentive drivers: Drivers need to stay alert and be ready to take control if required.
Close following distance: It's essential to understand that vehicles need time before stopping completely and to set a following distance that allows for an emergency.

2. Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)

While both of these features function separately, they work together to ensure your vehicle is in the correct lane. The LDW system tracks lane markings with the help of cameras and alerts the driver if the vehicle drifts out of its lane. LKA helps keep the car in its specific lane by actively steering the vehicle.

Advantages of Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keeping Assist

Accident prevention: LDW and LKA help reduce lane departure accidents, especially during driver distraction or drowsiness, by using sound, lights and vibrations alerts.
Safer lane changes: LKA provides additional assistance during lane changes, reducing the risk of collisions with adjacent vehicles.

Disadvantages of Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keeping Assist

Poorly marked roads: On poorly marked or faded roads, the system may fail to detect lane markings accurately, leading to false alerts or reduced effectiveness.
Weather conditions: Adverse weather conditions like heavy rain can hinder the system's performance, forcing the driver to take over.

3. Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Emergency Automatic Braking (EAB)

Sometimes drivers respond too late to sudden braking by the vehicle in front, leading to rear-end collisions. Driver distraction is also a significant cause of these accidents.

Using sensors the FCW system monitors the distance between your vehicle and the one in front and alerts the driver immediately if it detects an imminent collision. EAB takes this a step farther by applying the brakes autonomously to prevent or reduce the severity of a crash.

Advantages of Forward Collision Warning and Emergency Automatic Braking

Collision avoidance: FCW and EAB significantly reduce the risk of rear-end collisions and can be life saving in unpredictable situations.
Mitigating collision impact: In situations where the collision cannot be avoided, EAB can significantly minimise the impact.

Disadvantages of Forward Collision Warning and Emergency Automatic Braking

False alarms: FCW and EAB can be activated without an apparent cause. This can be due to bad weather, road conditions, sharp curves or a vehicle cutting into your lane and accelerating away.
Limited detection range: EAB's effectiveness is limited to its sensor range and may not detect objects beyond this distance.

4. Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)

Drivers who have difficulties registering vehicles or obstacles in their blind spot can have accidents. With BSM this risk can be reduced by using sensors that detect vehicles in your blind spots and issue warning alerts.

Advantages of Blind Spot Monitoring

Enhanced awareness: BSM improves situational awareness when changing lanes or merging onto highways, reducing the likelihood of side-swipe accidents.
Safety during lane changes: BSM acts as an extra pair of eyes, making lane changes safer.

Disadvantages of Blind Spot Monitoring

BSM limitations: If a vehicle is travelling at a significantly different speed or is partially obstructed the system has difficulty detecting it in the blind spot.
Over-reliance: The availability of such systems can make drivers complacent, leading them to neglect proper shoulder checks and to overlook other potential hazards.

5. Rear cross-traffic alerts (RCTA)

While there are multiple rear view mirrors in most vehicles, drivers can still accidentally collide with vehicles or pedestrians. The RCTA system monitors approaching vehicles or pedestrians from the sides when reversing and alerts the driver if a collision is imminent.

Advantages of Rear Cross-Traffic Alerts

Avoiding backing collisions: RCTA prevents collisions with vehicles or pedestrians that may be obscured from the driver's view.
Enhanced parking safety: Drivers can back out of parking spots with increased confidence and safety.

Disadvantages of Rear Cross-Traffic Alerts

Limited detection range: RCTA's effectiveness is constrained to the area immediately behind the vehicle, and fast-moving objects may be difficult to detect.

How ADAS can help reduce accidents

ADAS contribute to driver awareness, helping to reduce accidents and enhance driver and road safety. By providing real-time information about traffic, pedestrians and obstacles, they enable drivers to respond faster and so reduce avoidable incidents.

Given most road accidents are the result of human errors, ADAS can compensate for momentary lapses in concentration such as distractions, and fatigue and timing errors. Enhanced driver awareness through ADAS can contribute to reducing injuries, collision damage and disruption to traffic flows.

Considerations for managing fleet risks

Government figures show that road deaths in Australia have declined over the past decade. The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) sees safer vehicles as a key element in this decrease.¹

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For businesses managing fleets of vehicles, ADAS can help avoid accidents due to human errors. Reduced accidents reduce money spent on repairs or insurance.

Get help from a business fleet insurance specialist

Gallagher offers businesses of all sizes end-to-end fleet risk management services, including gap analysis, incident and claims analysis, and tailored fleet insurance. We support a large volume of transport sector clients with insurance and risk services and can offer expertise and insight to any business needs in this area.

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¹Safety, Federal Chamber of Automotive industries , accessed 29 November 2023.

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