Crash avoidance

A range of promising new crash prevention technologies offer high potential for future casualty reduction and are being applied. Their success however, are highly dependent upon proven feasibility, practicability and acceptance and use by road users. Important factors needing further research concern limitations of human adaptation to new systems and the acceptability of the driver to relinquish control over the vehicle. In general, there are no analytical strategies available to ensure that passive and active safety systems are optimised together to maximise the potential casualty reduction.

In promising areas, such as alcohol interlock devices, seat belt reminders and intelligent speed adaptation, research is needed to develop international specifications. In collision avoidance research, assessment methodology needs to be developed for pre-crash sensing systems in passenger cars for occupant and pedestrian protection and in trucks. Specifications needs to be developed for on-board crash recorders for all motor vehicles as well as for GPS based warning of crashes.