Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, commonly referred to as ADAS, encompass a variety of technologies designed to enhance vehicle safety and driving convenience. These systems include features like blind spot monitoring, collision warnings, and emergency braking, which function akin to an additional set of eyes and ears for drivers. They continuously monitor the vehicle's environment to alert the driver or even intervene if a collision appears imminent.
In addition to safety features, ADAS includes several convenience-oriented technologies. Examples are adaptive cruise control and lane keeping systems, which help alleviate some of the stresses associated with driving. A particularly noteworthy addition to this category is traffic jam assist. This innovative system combines the functionality of adaptive cruise control with lane keeping, specifically designed for low-speed, stop-and-go scenarios on limited-access highways. However, it's important to note that traffic jam assist is classified as a level 2 system, where the human driver must remain alert and engaged.
Recently, the American Automobile Association (AAA) conducted an extensive evaluation of five unnamed ADAS systems in the bustling traffic of Los Angeles. The testing took place during both morning and afternoon peak hours, covering identical routes. Over a span of 16.2 hours, the vehicles traveled an average of 342 miles (550 km), with the ADAS being operated per the manufacturer’s instructions. Each vehicle was equipped with cameras and GPS technology to thoroughly document traffic conditions and driver behavior.
The primary aim of AAA's testing was to compare the effectiveness of various ADAS systems in real-world situations. They specifically focused on contrasting the performance of advanced systems that allow drivers to take their hands off the wheel with those that mandate hands-on driving. The results revealed that, on average, these systems provided drivers with less than 10 minutes of respite during traffic jams. Notably, significant driving events were recorded every 3.2 miles, or roughly every 9.1 minutes, with a staggering 85 percent of these incidents necessitating driver intervention.
Among the most frequent scenarios requiring driver intervention was when a vehicle cut into the driver’s lane, which occurred approximately once every 8.6 miles (or every 24.4 minutes). In fact, 90 percent of these lane changes prompted the driver to take action. Additionally, inadequate lane centering was another prevalent issue, happening every 11.3 miles (or every 32.2 minutes), with 72 percent of these events also demanding driver intervention. Other notable occurrences included situations where the vehicle failed to resume after a stop (71 times) and instances where the lane keeping or adaptive cruise control systems deactivated (57 times). Furthermore, there were 43 situations where the vehicle did not adequately slow down, leading to 70 percent of these events requiring the driver to engage the brakes.
AAA's findings highlighted a stark contrast between hands-on and hands-off ADAS systems. The less advanced systems that necessitated drivers to keep their hands on the steering wheel recorded notable events at three times the frequency of their hands-free counterparts. Specifically, hands-off systems required intervention every 7.2 miles (or every 20.1 minutes), whereas the hands-on systems necessitated intervention approximately every 2.3 miles (or every 6.7 minutes). Moreover, hands-off systems prompted drivers to return their hands to the wheel every 5.5 miles (or every 15.3 minutes) on average.
Based on the findings from the study, AAA offers practical recommendations aimed at enhancing driver safety and ADAS effectiveness. Firstly, drivers should always remain alert and attentive while behind the wheel, as ADAS is not a replacement for an engaged driver. Avoid distractions, particularly from smartphones, and thoroughly read the vehicle's user manual to understand how and when to utilize these systems effectively. Additionally, maintaining an appropriate following distance from the vehicle ahead is crucial, even if it means dealing with more frequent lane changes. To further improve ADAS performance, AAA plans to advocate for automakers to enhance features like cut-in response and lane centering.
