
AAA says AEB has drastically improved for avoiding collisions at up to 35 mph
By onMarket Trends | Technology
New research from AAA has found that 2024 model year vehicles equipped with automatic emergency braking (AEB) avoided all forward collisions when tested at speeds up to 35 mph. In comparison, 2017 and 2018 models avoided collisions 51% of the time, according to AAA.
Over the last decade, AAA has evaluated various advanced driver assistance systems, including AEB, to determine if the technology performs as expected, a news release says. While these systems continue to be refined with upgraded software and sensors, AAA wanted to see if AEB functionality has improved when compared to older versions.
“Since we began testing AEB in 2014, the advancements by automakers are commendable and promising in improving driver safety,” said Greg Brannon, AAA director of automotive engineering research, in the release. “There is still significant work ahead to ensure the systems work at higher speeds.”
Earlier this year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) requiring automakers to include AEB that avoids forward collisions up to 62 mph by 2029.
AAA noted in its new report that a key driver of AEB growth was a voluntary commitment made in 2016 by 20 automakers to equip all of their vehicles with AEB by Sept. 1, 2022, which was announced by NHTSA, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in March 2016.
AEB has since become a widely adopted safety feature, now present in 89% of all new vehicles sold in 2023, according to the report.
AAA, in partnership with the Automobile Club of Southern California’s Automotive Research Center, conducted research in a closed-course, simulated environment to evaluate the performance progression of AEB systems on the older model vehicles compared to the 2024 models. Vehicles tested included 2017 and 2024 Jeep Cherokees, 2018 and 2024 Nissan Rogues, and 2018 and 2024 Subaru Outbacks.
Old and new test vehicles of the same make and model were evaluated at three common speeds (12 mph, 25 mph, and 35 mph) to see how well they performed in a forward collision.
According to data collected by the Federal Highway Administration, a majority of total miles driven in the U.S. occur at speeds above 35 mph. AAA engineers added test scenarios to assess the limits of current AEB systems at higher speeds.
At slower test speeds of 12 mph, the 2017 and 2018 models performed well and avoided 73% of collisions, AAA’s report states. Collision avoidance performance dropped to 47% at 25 mph and 33% at 35 mph.
Three out of four vehicles evaluated avoided a 45-mph collision. The test speed of those vehicles was then increased to 55 mph. None of them avoided a collision at 55 mph.
The NHTSA standard that takes effect with the 2029 model year will require AEB to engage at up to 90 mph when a collision with a lead vehicle is imminent, and up to 45 mph when a pedestrian is detected.
Encouraged by the new NHTSA ruling, AAA recommends that automakers:
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- Prioritize the development of AEB systems for high-speed scenarios, like those in the new FMVSS 127.
- Offer earlier FCW alerts to 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,” AAA said.
- Continually invest in research and development to improve 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,” AAA said.
In June, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation asked NHTSA to reconsider portions of its new AEB mandate.
In a letter to Congress, Auto Innovators President and CEO John Bozzella said the speed requirements are “practically impossible with available technology” and would result in more rear-end collisions. The rule would also cost OEMs $200-$4,200 in hardware plus software changes that won’t improve driver or pedestrian safety and will increase the cost of vehicles for consumers, according to the petition to NHTSA.
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Featured image credit: georgeclerk/iStock
Graph provided by AAA