European Large-Scale Field Operational Test on Active Safety Systems

In June 2012, the EUROFOT consortium published the findings of a four-year study focused on the impact of driver assistance systems in the Europe. The study looked at existing technologies and their potential to both enhance safety and reduce environmental impact. The EUROFOT project revealed a link between these systems and improvements in driver behaviour, fuel efficiency and traffic safety, as well as overall cost savings.

The Key Findings of the project are:

• Adaptive Cruise Control & Forward Collision Warning: Vehicles equipped with both systems could potentially affect up to 5.7% of the injury accidents on motorways, while trucks could potentially affect up to 0.6% of these accidents. The EUROFOT project concluded that these systems might have a positive effect on the overall crash statistics, for all road types. Additionally, positive indirect effects on traffic efficiency have been identified. Due to the potential reduction of accidents, the annual incidental delay (calculated in lost vehicle hours) could be lowered about more than three million hours on an EU-27 level. The environmental impact, which was measured in terms of fuel consumption, showed a reduction of about 3% percent for passenger cars and 2% for trucks without considering the benefits from changes in traffic efficiency. Drivers participating in the study also noted that these systems were highly appreciated and used. They increased driver comfort and safety.
• Navigation Systems: Analysis shows that navigation systems are highly accepted and widely used, particularly on long trips on unfamiliar routes. These systems are able to plot a fuel efficient route. The positive effect on driver behaviour is reflected in positive changes in lane keeping behaviour, distance to the lead vehicle and harsh braking events.
• Blind Spot Information System: Approximately 80% of drivers felt that this system increases safety. It is perceived as most useful on urban roads in heavy traffic. It is not perceived as increasing workload. Most drivers indicated that this system is an important complement to visual checks, rather than as a primary source of information.
• Speed Regulation System: Over-speeding and harsh braking were reduced when this system was active.
• Curve Speed Warning: Around 75% of the drivers felt that safety was increased thanks to this system. They also found it most useful while driving on rural roads. Some participants stated that they used it as an indicator and/or to practice
  

  Innovation aspects

  This is the first large-scale European Field Operational Test on Active Safety Systems. Vehicle manufacturers, automotive suppliers, institutes and other stakeholders have joined forces in a "smart drive" to test various intelligent in-vehicle systems across Europe, with the aim of making our road transport safer, more efficient, and more comfortable.

  Road transport in Europe faces enormous challenges. Demand for personal mobility is increasing, and in the meantime imposing a high cost on society. More than 40 000 people die every year and more than 1.2 million are injured on European roads. In addition, transport emissions threaten our health, negatively affect the environment, and make a significant and growing contribution to climate change, while constant traffic congestion imposes delays and raises costs for every European citizen.

  Field Operational Testing is an effective instrument to test new transport technologies in the real world. It is an excellent way to raise awareness, collect real data, and enhance the take-up of ICT solutions. Field Operational Tests have also proved to be a powerful tool for gaining insight into the way new functions and systems suit the user when operated in a real context. It also provided statistically sound data over a sufficiently long time.

  Such testing has traditionally been carried out at national level. However, there is a growing need to incorporate these tests into a common European framework, to enable sharing and comparing at both European and national level.

  Technical Implications

  The field tests focussed on 8 distinct functions that assist the driver in detecting hazards, preventing accidents and making driving more efficient. More than 1 000 cars and trucks equipped with a range of different intelligent technologies have been tested on European roads. During these field tests, a multitude of sensors and devices have monitored every aspect of individual driver behaviour in real-world traffic conditions. In addition to that, questionnaires have been used to get driver feedback on the usefulness of the various systems. The project has resulted into much insight how intelligent systems suit drivers.

  The vehicle management centres have collected the data from more the test vehicles. These data provide an operational platform.

  Policy implications

  The project aimed at making roads safer, more efficient and more comfortable to drive. The results show a link between these intelligent vehicle systems and improvements in driver behaviour, fuel efficiency, traffic safety and overall cost savings.

  Strategy targets

  • An efficient and integrated mobility system: acting on transport safety
  • Innovating for the future (technology and behaviour): promoting more sustainable development

  Readiness

  For the most part, the technologies under study already exist. They have the ability to help making driving safer, more comfortable and more efficient. These technologies have a positive effect on traffic safety and efficiency. However, they have not penetrated the market. This is largely due to a lack of understanding about their potential benefits. This project makes these technologies better understood by testing them in real-life environments. That is the key and road map to achieve future market penetration.

  The analysis of the data gathered in real-world traffic conditions (with ordinary drivers) highlighted crucial aspects of the intelligent vehicle systems, regarding:

  • the performance and capability of the systems;
  • driver interaction and reaction to the systems;
  • impacts on safety, efficiency and on the environment.