Driver Assistance vehicle technologies have potential to prevent 1.6 million crashes per year.

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University estimated the potential benefits from three key driver assistance vehicle technologies.

Date Posted
09/25/2019
Identifier
2019-B01401
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Net-social benefits and Net-private benefits of some existing vehicle crash avoidance technologies

Summary Information

Crash avoidance technologies such as lane change assist and automatic braking are increasingly popular technologies in cars. However, few studies have quantified their potential benefits.



Researchers from Carnegie Mellon University quantified the potential benefits from driver assistance vehicle technologies using National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) data. Specifically, the NHTSA estimates the number and "crash characteristics" of automobile accidents in the United States. They then classified all accidents as potentially being preventable by three specific driver assistance technologies namely blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and forward collision warnings.

Findings:

  • Driver Assistance vehicle technologies could potentially save $36.7 billion USD per year
  • Much of the potential savings come from reduced crash severity leading to less medical cost burdens
  • These technologies could prevent 1.6 million crashes and 7,200 fatal crashes per year.
Goal Areas