MUARC report shows potential for Autonomous Emergency Braking to reduce road fatalities
A real-world evaluation of Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) and Forward Collision Warnings (FCW) in light vehicles has found significant potential to reduce trauma incidents.
The recently-released MUARC report used police-reported crash data in Australia and New Zealand between 2013 and 2017 to estimate crash and injury reductions associated with AEB and FCW.
Almost one third of all light vehicle crashes occurring in Australia and New Zealand during that timeframe could, with a high degree of certainty, have the potential to be avoided or mitigated by AEB. Approximately two thirds of these crashes were in 60 km/h or lower speed zones.
A further 29% of all light vehicle crashes in Australia and New Zealand during that time could, with a lower certainty, be avoided or mitigated by AEB.
The technology also showed the potential to prevent or mitigate around 3% of light vehicle to pedestrian crashes (90% of which were in 60 km/h or lower speed zones) and approximately 10% of intersection crashes (93% of which were in low speed zones).
Based on the 2017 fitment rate, the results showed that AEB was estimated to mitigate 0.08% of all fatal, 0.14% of all serious and 0.10% of all minor injuries in Australia. For New Zealand crash data, AEB was estimated to mitigate 0.18% of all fatal, 0.09% of all serious and 0.06% of all minor injuries.
If there was 100% fitment of AEB in Australia, the technology would lead to an estimated reduction of 8% of fatalities, 12% of serious injuries and 12% of minor injuries. Annually, this translates to a reduction of 126 fatalities, 3,731 serious injuries and 11,017 minor injuries.
Full fitment of AEB in New Zealand would lead to a reduction in total injuries being 8% for fatalities, 8% for serious injuries and 7% for minor injuries.
AEB was found to be more effective at reducing intersection sensitive crashes and associated injuries in high-speed zones. The technology was less effective at reducing fatal and serious injuries in low-speed zones.
FCW showed less benefits compared to AEB. There was no evidence of reductions in minor injuries, PDO crashes, pedestrian sensitive crashes and intersection crashes.
Overall, the report highlights the significant potential benefits of having 100% fitment of AEB and FCW in the light passenger vehicle fleet in Australia and New Zealand. The benefits demonstrated in the report cannot be achieved without drivers choosing new vehicles that include this technology. Therefore, the report’s authors suggest there is a need for either a mandate or persuasive communication to consumers on the benefit of AEB and FCW.
To view the full report, please click here.