New Study Shows Technology Can Prevent Some Crashes
WASHINGTON (WWJ) We have the first indication that "active safety" systems, designed to prevent crashes, are having a positive impact.
The Highway Loss Data Institute says a system that debuted on the Volvo XC60 SUV—called City Safety--designed to prevent rear end crashes, has been able to cut the number of those accidents by 27 per cent.
"This is our first real-world look at an advanced crash avoidance technology, and the findings are encouraging," says Adrian Lund, the institute's president, in a statement. "City Safety is helping XC60 drivers avoid the kinds of front-to-rear, low-speed crashes that frequently happen on congested roads."
The study was done by looking at insurance data.
Volvo has expanded City Safety to other vehicles including the XC70 SUV and S80 sedan. Other manufacturers have been looking at active safety, but those systems warn drivers. The Volvo is the only system that actually stops the vehicle for the driver, but only at speeds under 19 miles per hour.
How much control to take has been a controversy in the auto industry. David Zuby, the institute's chief testing officer, says this study gives some early indications that, under certain circumstances, vehicles can help prevent driver's mistakes from turning into crashes.
"We think that this study is the first indication that some of these new advanced systems that can take control from the driver, are in fact preventing crashes," Zuby said.
City Safety automatically brakes to avoid a front-to-rear crash in certain low-speed conditions. Volvo says it uses an infrared laser sensor built into the windshield to monitor the area in front of the SUV when traveling at speeds of about 2 to 19 mph. It detects and reacts to other vehicles within 18 feet of the XC60's front bumper during both daytime and nighttime driving.
If the speed difference between vehicles is less than 9 mph, City Safety helps drivers avoid some crashes altogether. If the difference is between 9 and 19 mph, Volvo says the feature may not prevent the crash but will reduce the consequences. It's not designed to work at speeds faster than 19 mph.
Unlike forward collision warning systems developed to address higher-speed crashes, City Safety doesn't alert the driver before it stops the vehicle.
"Technology that is geared to prevent crashes can work," says Zuby, "We see it working in the Volvo XC60."
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